Western Michigan University ScholarWorks at WMU Master's Theses Graduate College 8-1978 Paleoecology of the Spiriferid Brachiopods of the Silica Shale Formation (Middle Devonian), S.E. Michigan and N.W. Ohio Darioush T. Ghahremani Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses Part of the Geology Commons Recommended Citation Ghahremani, Darioush T., "Paleoecology of the Spiriferid Brachiopods of the Silica Shale Formation (Middle Devonian), S.E. Michigan and N.W. Ohio" (1978). Master's Theses. 2093. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/2093 This Masters Thesis-Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate College at ScholarWorks at WMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. PALEOECOLDGY GF THE 5PIRIFERID BRACHIDPODS OF THE SILICA SHALE FORMATION (MIDDLE DEVONIAN), S.E, MICHIGAN AND N.W. OHIO by Darioush T, Ghahremani A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of The Graduate College in partial fulfillment of the Degree of Master of Science Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan August 1978 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. AB5TRACT Spiriferid brachiopods of the Middle Devonian Silica Formation in northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan show many Features that are useful For paleoecologic in­ terpretation. This study is undertaken to examine and interpret the paleoecology and paleobiology of six spiri­ ferid brachiopods Mucrospirifer prolificus, Mucrospirifer grabaui, Mucrospirifer profundus, Mucrospirifer mucronatus, Paraspirifer bownockeri and Spinocyrtia euryteines. All are very abundant and can be easily collected from quarries in the Silica Formation near Sylvania, Ohio. Fourteen different morphologic characteristics have been tabulated for all specimens used in this study. These characteristics allow interpretations of the ontogenetic de velopment and ecologic relationships of the six studied species to their physical environment. In addition to mea­ surable morphologic characters, encrusting epizoans on the shell surface during the brachiopods life and borings or other trace of predators can be used to estimate the brachi opod life orientations and substrate relations. ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author wishes to express his gratitude to Dr, William B, Harrison III for First introducing him to the topic and for valuable assistance both in the field and in research. My appreciation also goes to Dr. W. David Kuenzi and Dr, W, Thomas 5traw for their critical evaluation of the manuscript. Thanks are due to Dr, R. V, Kesling and R. Chilman for the use of specimens and other facilities in the Uni­ versity of Michigan Museum of Paleontology, Ann Arbor, Michigan, I would like to thank R, D, Havira for helpful suggestions relevant to photographic techniques. Lastly, I like to thank my wife Simin for all her assistance, understanding and patience during this entire project. Darioush T. Ghahremani Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. INFORMATION TO USERS This material was produced from a microfilm copy of the original document. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the original submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or patterns which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or "target" for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is "Missing Page(s)". 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The majority of users indicate that the textual content is of greatest value, however, a somewhat higher quality reproduction could be made from "photographs" if essential to the understanding of the dissertation. Silver prints of "photographs" may be ordered at additional charge by writing the Order Department, giving the catalog number, title, author and specific pages you wish reproduced. 5. PLEASE NOTE: Some pages may have indistinct print. Filmed as received. University Microfilms International 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 USA St. John's Road, Tyler’s Green High Wycombe, Bucks, England HP10 8HR Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. MASTERS THESIS 13-11,965 GHAHREMANI, Darioush Tabrizi PALEOECOLOGY OF THE SPIRIFERID BRACHIOPODS OF THE SILICA SHALE FORMATION (MIDDLE DEVONIAN), S.E. MICHIGAN AND N.W. OHIO. Western Michigan University, M.S., 1978 University Microfilms International, Ann Arbor, Michigan 481C6 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION .......................................... 1 SAMPLING LOCALITIES ................................... 4 TECHNIQUES ............................................ 11 PREVIOUS WORK ......................................... 15 STRATIGRAPHY ......................................... 1? MIDDLE DEVONIAN BRACHIOPOD COMMUNITIES ............... 21 PRINCIPLES OF PALEOECOLOGICAL ANALY5IS ............... 25 PALEOECOLOGICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF SPIRIFERIDAE IN SILICA FORMATION ...................................... 29 CONCLUSIONS ........................................... 63 REFERENCES CITED ...................................... 70 APPENDIX I .......................................... 74 PLATES ................................................ 77 iv . Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Page Figure 1, Regional map of study a r e a ................. 3 Figure 2. Outcrop map of study a r e a ............. 5 Figure 3, Northwest wall of Medusa 5outh-5outh quarry ..... 8 Figure 4, Medusa North quarry ........................ 9 Figure 5. View looking southwest in Medusa South-South quarry ..................................... 9 Figure 6. Medusa South-South quarry .................. 10 Figure 7. Molds of trails and burrows; bottom surface of overturned slab, unit 14 ....... 10 Figure 8. Various morphologic characteristics of all specimens used in this study ....... 14 Figure 9, Stratigraphic section of the Traverse Group ........ 16 Figure 10. Correlation of the Devonian rocks of New York, Northern Mich., S.E. Mich, and N.Ul. Ohio .................................. 18 Figure 12. Chart showing major faunal zones and correla­ tion of the Silica Formation with other rock units in the Michigan basin ......... 22 Figure 13. Measurements of Mucrospirif er mucronatus (Conrad) ............................. ...... 30, 31 v Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Page Figure 14, Relation of surface area and volume of objects on substrate .................... 35 Figure 15. measurements of lYlucrospirifer profundus (Grabau) ............................... 37, 38 Figure 16, measurements of mucrospirifer qrabaui (Stumm) ................................ 41, 42 Figure 17. Orientation of mucrospirif er grabaui on substrate in response to currents ...... 44 Figure 18. measurements of mucrospirifer prolifi- cus (Stewart) .......................... 46, 47 Figure 19. measurements of Paraspirifer bownockeri (Stewart) ................. 50, 51 Figure 20. Growth characteristics of Paraspirifer bownockeri (Stewart) ................. 53 Figure 21. Plot of length versus thickness in Para­ spirif er bownockeri (5tewart) .......... 55 Figure 22. Plot of volume versus length in Paras­ pirif er bownockeri (Stewart) ......... 56 Figure 23. measurements of Spinocyrtia euryteines (Owen) ............................... 60, 61 Figure 24, Alternative possible life orientations for taxa studied herein ................. 66 Figure 25. measured sections in the Silica Forma­ tions ............................... 75 Figure 26, Photo showing medusa South-South quarry. 75 vi Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Page Figure 27, Medusa 5outh-5outh quarry ................ 76 Figure 28. Medusa South-South quarry showing Ten Mile Creek Dolomite overlying Silica Formation . 76 vii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. INTRODUCTION During a Forty year period beginning with Dr. Grace A, Stewart's work (1927) more than