The Ediacaran biota refers to a group of ancient, multicellular organisms that lived during the late Ediacaran Period, approximately 635 to 541 million years ago. These organisms are some of the earliest known complex life forms and were primarily found in marine environments. They exhibited a variety of shapes and sizes, with some resembling modern-day jellyfish, worms, and fronds. Ediacaran organisms are significant because they provide insight into the evolution of life on Earth. Their unique body plans and structures suggest a different mode of life compared to later organisms, such as those from the Cambrian Period. The study of the Ediacaran biota helps scientists understand the transition from simple to complex life forms.