Originally M. ovata was grouped under the genus Spriggina, but recent research has moved the species into its own genus. It is most often interpreted as an early arthropod, annelid, or a member of  Proarticulata, but as with all Ediacarian fauna its phylogeny remains uncertain.
M. ovata was initially placed in the Spriggina genus but has been reclassified into its own genus based on recent studies. It is often interpreted as an early arthropod, annelid, or a member of Proarticulata; however, its evolutionary relationships with other Ediacaran fauna remain uncertain.