DOCSLIB.ORG

Cope's Rule and Romer's Theory: Patterns of Diversity and Gigantism

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Cope's Rule and Romer's Theory: Patterns of Diversity and Gigantism Downloaded from rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org on March 12, 2010 Biol. Lett. (2010) 6, 265–269 their posterior legs retained for walking, range from doi:10.1098/rsbl.2009.0700 the Late Ordovician to the Late Permian, and also Published online 14 October 2009 attain gargantuan proportions: Pagea, from the Early Palaeontology Devonian, is around 120 cm long (Plotnick & Elliott 1995) and Cyrtoctenus, from the Carboniferous, is 135 cm long (Waterston et al. 1985). A trackway from Cope’s Rule and Romer’s Scotland, attributed to Hibbertopterus, indicates an animal 160 cm long (Whyte 2005). theory: patterns of During the Devonian, the diversity of Eurypterina plummeted, whereas the hibbertopterid radiation diversity and gigantism in during the Late Devonian and Carboniferous rep- eurypterids and Palaeozoic resents the last major radiation of eurypterids. Romer (1933) proposed that eurypterids and early armoured vertebrates fish evolved in an ‘arms race’; while this theory has fallen out of favour in recent years, deemed too James C. Lamsdell* and Simon J. Braddy simplistic, it remains in text books and popular science Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial writing. Analysis of evolutionary trends in eurypterids Building, Queen’s Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK thus provides an interesting case study to examine *Author for correspondence ( [email protected]). whether causal mechanisms for gigantism in Palaeo- Gigantism is widespread among Palaeozoic zoic arthropods, and their extinction, were primarily arthropods, yet causal mechanisms, particularly owing to abiotic (e.g. environmental) or biotic (e.g. the role of (abiotic) environmental factors versus competition between species) factors. (biotic) competition, remain unknown. The eur- ypterids (Arthropoda: Chelicerata) include the largest arthropods; gigantic predatory pterygotids 2. MATERIAL AND METHODS (Eurypterina) during the Siluro-Devonian and A database of all known eurypterids was compiled from the primary bizarre sweep-feeding hibbertopterids (Stylonur- literature and supplemented with size data derived from the maxi- ina) from the Carboniferous to end-Permian. mum recorded specimen size and environmental occurrence data from Plotnick (1999), supplemented with data from the literature Analysis of family-level originations and extinc- (see the electronic supplementary material). Taxa were assigned to tions among eurypterids and Palaeozoic benthic assemblages following Braddy (2001). Placoderm generic vertebrates show that the diversity of Eurypterina data follows from Carr (1995), while familial occurrence data follows waned during the Devonian, while the Placodermi from Purnell (2001). The phylogenetic topology and family-level radiated, yet Stylonurina remained relatively assignments of Eurypterina are derived from Tetlie (2007); those unaffected; adopting a sweep-feeding strategy of Stylonurina follow Lamsdell et al. (in press). Family- and generic-level eurypterid diversity curves were compiled at series they maintained their large body size by avoiding resolution (31 time bins). competition, and persisted throughout the Late Palaeozoic while the predatory nektonic Euryp- terina (including the giant pterygotids) declined 3. RESULTS during the Devonian, possibly out-competed by Plotting the temporal ranges of the constituent families other predators including jawed vertebrates. of Eurypterida according to their phylogenetic top- Keywords: Eurypterida; Cope’s Rule; Romer’s ology (figure 1) reveals that only two families of the theory; extinction; competition; gigantism Eurypterina (Waeringopteridae and Adelophthalmi- dae) persist through to the Late Devonian, while only one group of Stylonurina (parastylonurids) go extinct during the Early Devonian. Generic-level diversity 1. INTRODUCTION curves show a massive decline in Eurypterina during The fossil record of Palaeozoic arthropods reveals that the Early Devonian, losing just over 50 per cent of gigantism was widespread among aquatic and terres- their diversity in 10 Myr. Stylonurina, by comparison, trial groups; griffenflies, morphologically similar to persist throughout the Devonian with a comparatively dragonflies, attained a wingspan of 70 cm and arthro- consistent diversity, until the Frasnian/Famennian pleurid millipedes were 200 cm long (Dunlop 1995). extinction event, when their diversity dropped margin- Such selection for gigantism is often attributed to elev- ally, coinciding with a changeover to a stylonurine ated oxygen levels during the Late Palaeozoic (Berner fauna consisting of the highly specialised sweep- et al. 2003); however, the presence of gigantism in feeding Mycteropidae and Hibbertopteridae. aquatic arthropods including Ordovician trilobites Palaeoenvironmental data show that most eurypterid (Rudkin et al. 2003), and Early Devonian eurypterids groups originated in marine habitats in the Ordovician (Braddy et al. 2008a) suggests that mechanisms for or Early Silurian, although the only groups that gener- gigantism selection are more complex. ally frequented marine shelf environments are the Eurypterids are extinct chelicerates found in a range Pterygotidae and Megalograptidae, along with some of aquatic habitats throughout the Late Palaeozoic. carcinosomatids; eurypterids were predominantly eur- Most are small-medium nektonic predators (Eurypter- yhaline; however, by the Late Devonian the surviving ina), and include the largest arthropods ever to have eurypterid groups were confined to freshwater- lived; gigantic pterygotids, with lengths of 250 cm esti- dominated settings (Braddy 2001). Analysis of size mated in Jaekelopterus (Braddy et al. 2008a). among eurypterid genera shows that basal taxa in Stylonurine eurypterids (Stylonurina), which have both suborders are relatively small (10–20 cm). The Electronic supplementary material is available at http://dx.doi.org/ taxa in each group tend to increase in size through 10.1098/rsbl.2009.0700 or via http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org. time, with active predators in some Eurypterina Received 27 August 2009 Accepted 18 September 2009 265 This journal is q 2009 The Royal Society Downloaded from rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org on March 12, 2010 266 J. C. Lamsdell & S. J. Braddy Competition and gigantism in eurypterids 470 460 450 440 430 420 410 400 390 380 370 360 350 340 330 320 310 300 290 280 270 260 250 Ordovician Silurian Devonian Carboniferous Permian Dar Llandov WPL L Em Ei Gi Fras Famenn Tourna Visean Ser Ba Mo A Sak Art K CWC Rhenopteridae ‘parastylonurids’ Stylonuridae Kokomopteridae Hardieopteridae Drepanopteridae Mycteropidae Hibbertopteridae Moselopteridae Onychopterellidae Megalograptidae Dolichopteridae Eurypteridae ‘carcinosomatids’ Mixopteridae Orcanopteridae Waeringopteridae ‘nanahughmillerids’ Adelophthalmidae ‘hughmilleriids’ Pterygotidae 1 m Jaekelopterus Dunkleostus 3 m+ 25 Acutiramus Hibbertopterus Eastmanosteus 2 m 20 Pterygotus 15 Erettopterus Pagea Cyrtoctenus 1 m 10 Mycterops 5 Arctolepis 0 Figure 1. Family-level evolutionary tree of the Eurypterida. Bars represent known temporal ranges, and are shaded according to habitat, indicating maximum salinity tolerance (black indicates open marine, grey indicates shallow marine and brackish environments and white indicates a restriction to fresh water). Silhouettes of various taxa are shown to scale with lines indicat- ing their temporal placement within the family. Diversity curves of Eurypterina (black line), Stylonurina (grey line) and Arthrodira (black dashed line) are at generic level. Maximum sizes of several pterygotids (black circles) and stylonurines (grey circles) are overlain, with three placoderm genera (black squares) shown for comparison. (Megalograptidae, Mixopteridae, carcinosomatids and coincides with the diversification of placoderms in hughmilleriids) reaching sizes of up to a metre. Ptery- Europe and North America. Stylonurina family diver- gotids reach the largest sizes, with individuals reaching sity remains largely unaffected except for a slight 250 cm as their diversity declined during the Devo- decrease in the Early Devonian, until a large reduction nian. Stylonurina also reached large sizes, with coinciding with the end-Devonian extinction event, 120 cm recorded from freshwater-inhabiting Stylonur- accounting for five of the seven existing stylonurine idae and the exclusively freshwater Hibbertopteroidea families. During this time, agnathan diversity approaching 200 cm in length. decreased and placoderms went extinct. With the Comparing the family-level diversity of the euryp- beginning of the Carboniferous, chondrichthyans had terid suborders with those of various fish groups diversified and sarcopterygian fishes such as rhizodonts (figure 2), the decline of the Eurypterina begins had taken over the role of apex predators (Andrews while agnathans are at their acme; however, it 1985). Biol. Lett. (2010) Downloaded from rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org on March 12, 2010 Competition and gigantism in eurypterids J. C. Lamsdell & S. J. Braddy 267 Cha. Wuc. = one family Cap. Permian Wor. Roa. Kun. Art. Sak. Ass. Carboniferous Gzh. Kas. Mos. Bas. Ser. Vis. Tou. Fam. Devonian Fra. Giv. Eif. Ems. Pra. Loc. Silurian Lud. Wen. Lla. Ordovician Hir. Kat. San. Dar. Eurypterina Stylonurina AgnathaPlacodermi Acanthodii Chondrichthyes Figure 2. Family-level diversity of Eurypterida and various aquatic vertebrate groups throughout the Palaeozoic. Diversity of the suborder Eurypterina begins to decline steadily through the Early Devonian, coinciding
Load more

Recommended publications
  • New Species Belonging to the Family Porcellidiidae (Harpacticoida: Copepoda) from Kioloa, New South Wales, Australia
    AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS Harris, V. A. P., 1994. New species belonging to the family Porcellidiidae (Harpacticoida: Copepoda) from Kioloa, New South Wales, Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 46(3): 303–340. [17 November 1994]. doi:10.3853/j.0067-1975.46.1994.8 ISSN 0067-1975 Published by the Australian Museum, Sydney naturenature cultureculture discover discover AustralianAustralian Museum Museum science science is is freely freely accessible accessible online online at at www.australianmuseum.net.au/publications/www.australianmuseum.net.au/publications/ 66 CollegeCollege Street,Street, SydneySydney NSWNSW 2010,2010, AustraliaAustralia Records of the Australian Museum (1994) Vol. 46: 303-340. ISSN 0067-1975 303 New Species belonging to the Family PorceIlidiidae (Harpacticoida: Copepoda) from Kioloa, New South Wales, Australia V.A.P. HARRls Visiting Fellow, Division of Botany and Zoology, Life Sciences, Australian National University PO Box 4, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia ABSTRACT. Six new species referred to four new genera and one new species of Porcellidium belonging to the family Porcellidiidae (Harpacticoida: Copepoda) are described from Kioloa, a locality on the southern coast of New South Wales, Australia. Characteristic features defining the following new genera are given together with descriptions of new species: Brevifrons n.gen., B. faviolatum n.sp., Kioloaria n.gen., K. sesquimaculata n.sp., Murramia n.gen., M. magna n.sp., M. bicincta n.sp., Tectacingulum n.gen., T. tumidum n.sp. and T. nigrum n.sp. A new species of Porcellidium, P. londonii n.sp., is described and referred to the 'Fimbriatum' group. The structure and taxonomic significance of the hyaline fringe and male antennule are discussed together with other characters that have been used to define new genera.
    [Show full text]
  • A Sea Scorpion Claw from the Lower Devonian of China (Chelicerata: Eurypterida) Bo Wang & Zhikun Gai Published Online: 13 Jan 2014
    This article was downloaded by: [Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology] On: 10 February 2014, At: 19:32 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/talc20 A sea scorpion claw from the Lower Devonian of China (Chelicerata: Eurypterida) Bo Wang & Zhikun Gai Published online: 13 Jan 2014. To cite this article: Bo Wang & Zhikun Gai , Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology (2014): A sea scorpion claw from the Lower Devonian of China (Chelicerata: Eurypterida), Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, DOI: 10.1080/03115518.2014.870819 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03115518.2014.870819 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content.
    [Show full text]
  • An Isolated Pterygotid Ramus (Chelicerata: Eurypterida) from the Devonian Beartooth Butte Formation, Wyoming
    Journal of Paleontology, 84(6), 2010, p. 1206–1208 Copyright ’ 2010, The Paleontological Society 0022-3360/10/0084-1206$03.00 AN ISOLATED PTERYGOTID RAMUS (CHELICERATA: EURYPTERIDA) FROM THE DEVONIAN BEARTOOTH BUTTE FORMATION, WYOMING JAMES C. LAMSDELL1 AND DAVID A. LEGG2 1Paleontological Institute, University of Kansas, 1475 Jayhawk Boulevard, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA, ,[email protected].; and 2Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK ABSTRACT—An isolated ramus of the pterygotid eurypterid Jaekelopterus cf. howelli from the Early Devonian (Pragian) Beartooth Butte Formation (Cottonwood Canyon, north-western Wyoming) is described. Pterygotid taxonomy and synonymy is briefly discussed with the genera Pterygotus, Acutiramus and Jaekelopterus shown to be potential synonyms. The use of cheliceral denticulation patterns as a generic-level character is discouraged in light of variations within genera and its unsuitability as a major characteristic in the other eurypterid families. INTRODUCTION the type section of the Beartooth Butte Formation in TERYGOTIDS ARE a diverse group of predatory Palaeozoic Beartooth Butte, which is Early Devonian in age. For a more P eurypterids, famed for being amongst the largest arthro- comprehensive discussion of the formation, its stratigraphy pods ever to have lived (Braddy et al., 2008a). The and paleoenvironment, see Tetlie (2007b). Vertebrate biostra- Pterygotidae are characterized by the possession of enlarged tigraphy (Elliot and Ilyes, 1996) indicates that the Cotton- raptorial chelicerae, non-spiniferous appendages III–V, undi- wood Canyon section is Pragian whereas the type section at vided medial appendages, laterally expanded pretelson and a Beartooth Butte is Emsian. Stable oxygen and isotope data broad paddle-like telson with marginal ornamentation (Tetlie (Poulson in Fiorillo, 2000) indicate that the Beartooth Butte and Briggs, 2009).
    [Show full text]
  • Early Devonian Eurypterids with Bohemian Affinities from Catalonia (NE Spain)
    Final draft post-refereeing from Batalleria, 7, 9-21, Barcelona (1997), ISSN: 0214-7831. Early Devonian eurypterids with Bohemian affinities from Catalonia (NE Spain) Ivo Chlupáč1, Enrique Ferrer2, José Magrans3, Ramón Mañé4, Javier Sanz5 1Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic 2 Carrer Lluís Solé Sabarís 31-B, 08850 Gavà, Spain 3 Paseig Amadeo Vives 12, 08840 Viladecans, Spain 4 Carrer Maó, 19, 4B. 08022 Barcelona, Spain 5 Facultade de Ciencias da Educación, Universidade da Coruña, Paseo de Ronda 47, 15011 A Coruña, Spain KEY WORDS - Arthropoda, Eurypterida, Pterygotidae, Lower Devonian (Lochkovian), NE Spain ABSTRACT - The sequence of early Lower Devonian (Lochkovian) strata with dominant anchimetamorphic shales of the Olorda Formation yielded numerous remains of eurypterids. These belong to the Family Pterygotidae and are represented by dominant species of Acutiramus (closely related or identical with the Bohemian species Acutiramus bohemicus and A. perneri), and rare finds of Pterygotus cf. barrandei. The eurypterids are typical components of a purely marine assemblage of the offshore, probably open shelf environment of Benthic Assemblage 4 to 5. The clearly expressed Bohemian affinity points to open migration routes along the northern Gondwana shelves between Bohemia and Catalonia during the early Devonian, particularly Lochkovian time. RESUMEN - Las pizarras de la Formación Olorda del Devónico Inferior (Lochkoviense) contienen numerosos restos de euriptéridos. Dichos fósiles pertenecen a la Familia Pterygotidae y corresponden en su mayor parte a especies de Acutiramus, mientras son más escasos los hallazgos de Pterygotus cf. barrandei. Los restos de Acutiramus son identificados como próximos o idénticos a las especies de Bohemia, Acutiramus bohemicus and A.
    [Show full text]
  • Fossils – Adriano Kury’S Harvestman Overviews and the Third Edition of the Manual of Acarology for Mites
    A summary list of fossil spiders and their relatives compiled by Jason A. Dunlop (Berlin), David Penney (Manchester) & Denise Jekel (Berlin) with additional contributions from Lyall I. Anderson, Simon J. Braddy, James C. Lamsdell, Paul A. Selden & O. Erik Tetlie 1 A summary list of fossil spiders and their relatives compiled by Jason A. Dunlop (Berlin), David Penney (Manchester) & Denise Jekel (Berlin) with additional contributions from Lyall I. Anderson, Christian Bartel, Simon J. Braddy, James C. Lamsdell, Paul A. Selden & O. Erik Tetlie Suggested citation: Dunlop, J. A., Penney, D. & Jekel, D. 2016. A summary list of fossil spiders and their relatives. In World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern, online at http://wsc.nmbe.ch, version 17.5, accessed on {date of access}. Last updated: 09.08.2016 INTRODUCTION Fossil spiders have not been fully cataloged since Bonnet’s Bibliographia Araneorum and are not included in the current World Spider Catalog. Since Bonnet’s time there has been considerable progress in our understanding of the fossil record of spiders – and other arachnids – and numerous new taxa have been described. For an overview see Dunlop & Penney (2012). Spiders remain the single largest fossil group, but our aim here is to offer a summary list of all fossil Chelicerata in their current systematic position; as a first step towards the eventual goal of combining fossil and Recent data within a single arachnological resource. To integrate our data as smoothly as possible with standards used for living spiders, our list for Araneae follows the names and sequence of families adopted in the previous Platnick Catalog.
    [Show full text]
  • Preliminary Maps and Reports Released by the Geologic Division 1946-1947 and by the Conservation Division 1938-47
    GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 56 Aapat 1949 PRELIMINARY MAPS AND REPORTS RELEASED BY THE GEOLOGIC DIVISION 1946-1947 AND BY THE CONSERVATION DIVISION 1938-47 By Ruth A. Atherton, Wenonah H. Eckstein, and R. E. Spratt UNITED STATES DEP~RTMENT OF THE INTERIOR J. A. Kru& Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY W. E. Wrather, Director WASHINGTON. D. C. Free on application to the Director, Geological Survey, Wuhington 26, D. C. INTRODUCTION This pamphlet contains a complete list· of all the prelim­ inary maps and reports issued by the Geologic Division of the u. s. Geological Survey during the period between January l, 1946, and January 1, 1948, and by the Conservation Division between January l, 1938, and January l, 1948. Some of the reports of Survey work in the United States, Alaska, and Mexico are included in the compilation of Geologic Division material. These reports were released in preliminary form to avoid the delays necessarily attendant upon fo~l pub­ ll~ation, and to make the information more promptly available to p'roperty owners and mine operators concerned ~'lith explo­ ration for and production of minerals, fuels, and construction materials. The addendum covers releases from the Conservation Divi­ sion and contains some of the results of work done by Con­ servation geologists and engineers in 12 states and AlaskaJ commodities included are coal, gas, oil, ~tash, wate~ and water power. ftost or the maps were duplicated by_rapid and inexpensive processes such as ozalid, van dyke, and photostat, but some· were duplicated by more expensive multilith or photolitb processes. Most of the maps and reports released for public distribution were prepared in limited editions only; some ot them are now out of print.
    [Show full text]
  • Eurypterids and Associated Fauna at Litchfield, a Classic Locality in Herkimer County
    253 Eurypterids and Associated Fauna at Litchfield, A Classic Locality in Herkimer County Victor P. Tollerton, Jr. 23 Shepherd Place Utica, New York 13502-5417, [email protected] Introduction The Upper Silurian Bertie Formation (Group ofD.W. Fisher, 1960; Ciurca, 1973) of New York State and Ontario, Canada, is world renowned for its spectacular eurypterids. One of these, Eurypterus remipes Dekay, 1825, holds the distinction of being the first eurypterid in the world to be described. This species is also the state fossil of New York, as signed into law by Mario Cuomo on 27 June 1984. Another species, the second one in the world to be described, Euryptenls /acustris Harlan, 1834, has been figured on a postage stamp of Canada (as Eurypterus remipes). Central New York is fortunate to boast offour localities where eurypterids can still be collected from the Bertie (Forge Hollow, Litchfield, Lang's Quarry, and Passage Gulf). Two others mentioned in the literature (Jerusalem Hill and Crane's Comers) are not currently accessible. The Litchfield, Herkimer County locality is a classic outcrop that displays both vertical and horizontal sections amenable for paleoecological study. The main purpose of this trip is to examine the paleoecology of eurypterids. Too often, matters of their habit and habitat are studied without regard for both the stratigraphic and sedimentologic context, as well as ignoring evidence from associated fauna. History The Bertie Formation was named by Chapman (1864, p. 19()...191) for a 50 foot thick section of"."thin-bedded grayish dolomites, interstratified towards the base with a few brownish shales, and with a brecciated bed composed chiefly of dolomite fragments" that were exposed near the Township of Bertie, Welland County, Ontario, Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • 10-15 Article-Czech
    10 by Ivo Chlupác˘ and Frantis˘ek Vacek Thirty years of the first international stratotype: The Silurian-Devonian boundary at Klonk and its present status Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic, Fax: +420-2-21952130 The first international stratotype, selected according to The Committee evolved a great activity. Whilst up to 1964 new modern stratigraphic principles, is the section with the results of investigation were concentrated in Circulars, since 1965 it became clear that direct visits and inspections of relevant regions Silurian-Devonian boundary at Klonk in the Barran- and concrete sections are necessary. These were started in 1966 dian area, Czech Republic. Its approvement at the XXIV when diverse European regions were visited and the Chairman, Prof. IGC in Montreal, 1972 deeply influenced the further Erben, achieved a broad collaboration with different working groups around the world and official bodies, namely the International Com- development of stratigraphic principles and praxis in mission on Stratigraphy and the International Union of Geological achieving an objective base for definition of global Sciences. chronostratigraphic units, later followed in establish- A marked progress was reached at the International Symposium on the Devonian System held in Calgary, Alberta, 1967, where the ments of GSSP in different parts of the global strati- majority of members of the Committee accepted the proposal to graphic column. The procedure of the establishment, define the S-D boundary at the base of the Monograptus uniformis present status and correlative value of the Silurian- graptolite Zone, which was later confirmed by the preliminary ballot votes (25 Committee members in favour from the total number 32).
    [Show full text]
  • Silurian-Devonian Pelecypods and Paleozoic Stratigraphy of Subsurface Rocks in Florida and Georgia and Related Silurian Pelecypods from Bolivia and Turkey
    Silurian-Devonian Pelecypods and Paleozoic Stratigraphy of Subsurface Rocks in Florida and Georgia and Related Silurian Pelecypods From Bolivia and Turkey GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 879 Silurian-Devonian Pelecypods and Paleozoic Stratigraphy of Subsurface Rocks in Florida and Georgia and Related Silurian Pelecypods From Bolivia and Turkey v , v, v By JOHN PO.JETA, JR., .JIRI KRIZ, and .JEAN M. BERDAN GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 879 General geologic setting of the Florida and Georgia subsurface Paleozoic; systematics and the biostratigraphic) paleoecologic) and paleobiogeographic significance of the pelecypods UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON 1976 UNITED STATES DEPART.l\'IENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY V. E. McKelvey, Director Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Pojeta, John. Silurian-Devonian pelecypods and Paleozoic stratigraphy of subsurface rocks in Florida and Georgia and related Silurian pelecypods from Bolivia and Turkey. (Geological Survey professional paper 879) Bibliography: p. Supt. of Docs. no.: I 19.16:879 1. Lamellibranchiata, Fossil. 2. Paleontology-Silurian. 3. Paleontology-Devonian. 4. Geology, Stratigraphic -Paleozoic. 5. Geology-Florida. 6. Geology-Georgia. I. K:fiz, J iff, joint author: II. Berdan, Jean Milton, joint author. III. Title. IV. Series: United States. Geological Survey. Professional paper 879. QE811.P65 564'.11'09758 74-16046 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington D.C. 20402 Stock Number 024-001-02731-3
    [Show full text]
  • Eurypterids, Stratigraphy, Late Silurian-Early
    A-3 EURYPTERI DS , STRATIGRAPHY , LATE SILURIAN- EARLY DEVONIAN OF WESTERN NEW YORK STATE AND ONTARIO , CANADA SAMUEL J. CIURCA , JR . - Roches ter , New York INTRODUCT I ON The eur ypteri d hor izons of the Bertie Group in New York State (Ciurca , 1973 , l 978a) continue int o adjacent Ontario , Canada bearing their distinctive eurypterid faunas (Ciurca , l967a , 1976) . In addition, Helderbergian strata (Clanbrassil Fm. ) , b e t we en Byng and Hagger s ville , show the presence of pos t Be rtie- Akron strat a in this r egion in a manner analog ous to that of the Honeoye Falls Fm . described for similarly positi oned strata discover ed south of Rochester , New York ( Ciurca , l967b , 19 73). The purpose of this paper is to pr esent a preliminary a ccoun t o f the stratigr aphy and pal eontology of this inter­ esting eurypterid- bearing sequenc e of r ocks and t o stimulate research into the origin and significance of t he waterlimes and associated lithologies in which eurypterids are peculiar­ ly characteristic and abundant. STRATIGRAPHY AND PALEONTOLOGY Detailed field studies in New York and Onta rio, Ca nada were undertaken with the hope of providing a bette r frame­ wor k for understanding the occurrence and distribution o f eurypteri d faunas and water l i mes in the r egions , and to facil­ itate correlation . In these stud ies , the waterlime units have been utilized as the bas is of a stratigraphic framewor k . They have been ~iven an impor tance simi lar to that given coa l beds in cyclothemic sequences and it is hoped that this will help tracing and understanding of t he cyclic seque nces prese nt i n our Late Silurian- Earl y Devonian rocks .
    [Show full text]
  • Trip B-4 EURYPTERIDS and FACIES CHANGES WITHIN SILURIAN/DEVONIAN 'EURYPTERID BEDS' of NEW YORK STATE
    Trip B-4 EURYPTERIDS AND FACIES CHANGES WITHIN SILURIAN/DEVONIAN 'EURYPTERID BEDS' OF NEW YORK STATE SAMUEL J. CIURCA, JR. Rochester, New York Perhaps nowhere else in the world are eurypterids found in the abundance they are within the Silurodevonian strata of New York State. More importantly, little-understood cyclic sequences, mostly within an evaporite basin, preserved a multitude of distinctive eurypterid faunas. Many of these are currently known, and several now known, need to be better understood. This is especially true of Akron- Cobleskill horizons (see Ciurca 1978, 1994) that are providing abundant remains of successor faunas to those of the well-known Bertie faunas, viz. Eurypterus remipes (older) and Eurypterus lacustris Faunas. The purpose of this paper is to comment on Bertie Group and overlying Akron-Cobleskill occurrences – their distribution geographically and stratigraphically of microbialites and eurypterids – and suggest that much more research is required if we are to truly understand the paleoenvironment not only of the sedimentary rocks in which we find specimens, but the environment in which the animals actually lived. The association of many of the eurypterid horizons with stromatolites/thrombolites is particularly emphasized. This is an exciting new area of observation and research. The evolution of fish, and other organisms, has taught us that given enough time, many animals evolve to occupy disparate environments within the marine realm and often within the fresh water realm (rivers and lakes). Many authors have already suggested that the various eurypterid morphologies we encounter can be attributed to their existence in a variety of environments. Yet, it has proved difficult to provide specific environments for specific eurypterids – especially faunas that contain a great variety of species (forms) co-mingled like those of the Bertie Group assemblages.
    [Show full text]
  • The Early Devonian Eurypterid Grossopterus Overathi (Gross, 1933) from Overath, Germany
    Mitt. Mus. Nat.kd. Berl., Geowiss. Reihe 5 (2002) 93-104 10.11.2002 The Early Devonian eurypterid Grossopterus overathi (Gross, 1933) from Overath, Germany Jason A. Dunlopl, Simon J. Braddy2 & Erik Tetlie2 With 6 figures Abstract The holotype and only known specimen of the eurypterid (Chelicerata: Eurypterida) Grossopterus overathi (Gross, 1933) from the Early Devonian (Siegennian) of Overath, north-west Germany is redescribed. Based on comparisons with other eurypterid taxa we interpret G. overathi as having a well-preserved type B genital appendage, which exhibits two apomorphic character states: (1) a furca fused into a single, spatulate plate and (2) marginal serrations near the distal end of the appendage. Grossop- terus is assigned to the family Hughmilleriidae, but its carapace resembles that of the larger Slimoniu acuminatu (Salter, 1856) (Slimoniidae). A provisional phylogenetic analysis resolves Grossopterus as the sister group of (Slimonia + Pterygotoidea). The large pterygotids, in particular, have been suggested as significant predators on early vertebrates and hypotheses about eurypterid-fish co-evolution are reviewed, in particular Romer’s proposal that dermal annour in fish evolved in response to eurypterid predation. Key words: Devonian, north-west Germany, Overath, Eurypterida, Grossopterus, Genital appendage, fish, co-evolution. Zusammenfassung Der Holotyp - das einzig bekannte Exemplar - des Eurypteriden (Chelicerata: Eurypterida) Grossopterus overathi (Gross, 1933) aus dem friihen Devon (Siegennian) von Overath im nordwestlichen Deutschland wird wieder beschrieben. Basierend auf Vergleichen mit anderen Eurypteriden-Taxa interpretieren wir G. overathi als Trager eines Typ B-Anhanges, wobei zwei apomorphe Merkmalszustande vorliegen: (1) die Furca ist zu einer einzigen, spatelformigen Platte verschmolzen, und (2) der Seitenrand nahe des distalen Endes des Genitalanhanges ist gezahnt.
    [Show full text]