Auroralumina

Auroralumina is a genus of extinct stem-group cnidarians that lived during the Ediacaran period, approximately 560 million years ago. Fossils of Auroralumina attenboroughii, the only species in the genus, have been found in the Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire, England.

Auroralumina attenboroughii is notable as one of the oldest definitive examples of a cnidarian, the group that includes jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones. Its discovery provides critical evidence for the early evolution of this animal phylum. The fossil exhibits features indicative of a stalk-like structure and upward-reaching tentacles, suggesting a morphology similar to modern corals or sea anemones.

The name Auroralumina is derived from "Aurora," referring to the Roman goddess of the dawn, and "lumen," meaning light, referencing the organism's ancient origins and possible bioluminescence. The species name, attenboroughii, honors Sir David Attenborough for his contributions to natural history.

The discovery of Auroralumina has contributed significantly to understanding the timing and diversification of early animal life during the Ediacaran period, providing crucial insights into the origins of cnidarians and the evolution of body plans that persist to this day.