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= Flavostratum =

Flavostratum belonging to the phylum incertae sedis is a genus of sessile benthic Ediacaran biota whose trace fossils have been described as flattened unstructured discs-films. Fossils have so far only been found in the Vendian beds of the Zimnegory Formation on the Winter Coast in the White Sea Region (Russia). The type species Flavostratum incrustatum was named by E. A. Serezhnikova in 2013.

Morphology
Flavostratum has been described as problematic benthic organisms with a basal portion in the shape of disc-like substrate encrusting film. The fossils are usually found as isolated trace fossils with only imprints of the attachment discs preserved. The discs show a bizonal structure with a central circular and sometimes concentric zone and an isometric periphery with indistinct boundaries.

The attachment discs found have been measured to be on average about 4 cm in diameter but specimens up to 8 cm in diameter have been found. The discs are in a shape of encrusting elastic film with uneven isometric margins. The lower portion of the disc has two zones. The inner zone is approximately ½ to 1/3 the size of the outer zone and is rounded, sometimes oval, or isometric, with a clear-cut external outline. The outer portion is noted for its smooth relief, irregular outline, and is sometimes circular but more commonly elongated along random horizontal axes. No discernible structures are observed on the surface and the upper portion is very rarely preserved and distorted when it is showing a relatively long stem with thin vertical threads and a squashed indistinct saclike offshoot.

Flavostratum was likely a benthic, sessile organism that was attached to the sea floor through its substrate-encrusting filmlike discs. No information about its feeding habits has been published yet, likely due to the fact that the upper portion is very rarely preserved or preserved but distorted.

Method of Fossilization
The fossils are typically preserved as trace fossils with low-relief, positive imprints of the attachment disks showing a bizonal structure with indistinct boundaries. When preserved in negative relief, it looks like a shallow funnel sometimes with numerous small structures along the outer margin. The upper portion is very rarely preserved but represents a relatively long stem that has thin vertical threads coming out of it.

Distribution and Paleoenvironment
The known distribution of Flavostratum is currently contained to the Vendian beds of the Zimnegory Formation on the Winter Coast in the White Sea Region. undefined The holotype for this genus was found in the Arkhnagels Region from the Winter Coast of the White Sea in the Upper Vendian Zimnegory Formation. The paleoenvironment for this genus was likely a shallow sea benthic setting.

Etymology
The naming of these organisms come from the color of the Vendian beds of the Zimnegory Formation in which they were found. From the Latin word flavus, meaning yellow and stratum, meaning stratum.

Comparison
In comparison to other attachment structures from the Vendian, this genus has an indistinct body outline, isometric disc outline, absence of clear external boundaries, and radial and concentric structures in the periphery.

Discovery
The genus Flavostratum was described in 2013 by E.A. Serezhikova based on the type species Flavorstratum incrustatum sp. nov. (species nova – meaning new species). Used after a binomial name that is being published for the first time.