biostudies-literatureOses GLFAPESPCNPqNatural Environment Research Council105676https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9763863biostudies-literatureUnknown25(12)<i>Corumbella</i> is a terminal Ediacaran tubular, benthic fossil of debated morphology, composition, and biological affinity. Here, we show that <i>Corumbella</i> had a biomineralized skeleton, with a bilayered construction of imbricated calcareous plates and rings (sclerites) yielding a cataphract organization, that enhanced flexibility. Each sclerite likely possessed a laminar microfabric with consistent crystallographic orientation, within an organic matrix. Original aragonitic mineralogy is supported by relict aragonite and elevated Sr (mean = ca. 11,800 ppm in central parts of sclerites). In sum, the presence of a polarisation axis, sclerites with a laminar microfabric, and a cataphract skeletal organization reminiscent of early Cambrian taxa, are all consistent with, but not necessaiScienceEdiacaran <i>Corumbella</i> has a cataphract calcareous skeleton with controlled biomineralization.PMC9763863NE/T008458/1Romero GRHerzen JStampar SNAlves Forancelli Pacheco MLBidola PWood RPfeiffer FOses GLEvangelista Martins Prado GMfalseEdiacaran <i>Corumbella</i> has a cataphract calcareous skeleton with controlled biomineralization.<i>Corumbella</i> is a terminal Ediacaran tubular, benthic fossil of debated morphology, composition, and biological affinity. Here, we show that <i>Corumbella</i> had a biomineralized skeleton, with a bilayered construction of imbricated calcareous plates and rings (sclerites) yielding a cataphract organization, that enhanced flexibility. Each sclerite likely possessed a laminar microfabric with consistent crystallographic orientation, within an organic matrix. Original aragonitic mineralogy is supported by relict aragonite and elevated Sr (mean = ca. 11,800 ppm in central parts of sclerites). In sum, the presence of a polarisation axis, sclerites with a laminar microfabric, and a cataphract skeletal organization reminiscent of early Cambrian taxa, are all consistent with, but not necessa2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Dec2026-05-27T19:14:21.466Z2025-02-19T03:24:24.93ZS-EPMC97638633656188610.1016/j.isci.2022.105676