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Did corals exist 500 million years ago?

There is evidence that coral first appeared during the early Cambrian period


(which began about 542 million years ago). This evidence is very scarce so far and it is believed that it was not until the Ordovician Period (which began when the Cambrian period ended, about 488 million years ago) that "...mineralized corals became important parts of marine ecosystems.1"

For a history of ancient coral and other early marine life, see:

Anthozoa: Fossil Record
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/cnidaria/anthozoafr.html

For an interesting article on some specific types of ancient corals, see: Margaret Fuller, Richard Jenkins, Reef Corals From The Lower Cambrian Of The Flinders Ranges, South Australia, Palaeontology Volume 50 Issue 4 Page 961-980, July 2007.

1Anthozoa: Fossil Record
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/cnidaria/anthozoafr.html

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