Tremadocian Age

The Tremadocian Age (485-477 Ma) occurs during the Early Ordovician Period, occurring after Stage 10 of Terreneuvian (Cambrian), and before the Floian.

Geologic Age

485.4±1.9–477.7±1.4 million years ago

Eon / Era / Period / Epoch

Phanerozoic; Paleozoic; Ordovician; Early Ordovician

What happened during this time?

No macrofossil evidence of plant life on land
Abundant algae in the ocean, and possible algal-plant ancestors clinging to periodically drying ponds
- Fossil spore-like microfossils from northern Western Australia strengthen the connection between freshwater green algae and embryophytes (Strother & Foster 2021)
Diversification of animal life
- An anomalocaridid, Aegirocassis benmoulae, reaching 2m in length, was a filter feeder on plankton during this time
- Most anomalocaridids were carnivorous, active hunters.

Above: Fossilized spores from Australia (Strother & Foster 2021)