Paleontological Contributions
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PALEONTOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS February 27, 1976 Paper 81 COMPOSITA SUBTILITA (BRACHIOPODA) IN THE WREFORD MEGACYCLOTHEM (LOWER PERMIAN) IN NEBRASKA, KANSAS, AND OKLAHOMA 1 ANNE B. LUTZ-GARIHAN Indiana University Northwest, Gary, Indiana ABSTRACT Brachiopods are abundant and widely distributed in the Lower Permian Wreford Megacyclothem in Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Taxa recognized include Lin gula, Orbiculoidea, Petrocrania, Enteletes, Derbyia, chonetids, productids, Wellerella, Cleiothy- ridina, and Cornposita. Abundant, well-preserved, and widely distributed Wreford specimens of the spiriferid Composita were studied in detail. Because the Wreford Composita population consists of an intergradational series of individuals that cannot be separated into clearly distinct groups interpretable as separate species, these fossils are best included in a single species, Composita subtilita (Hall, 1852). Two distinct morphotypes were recognized as end members of this intergrading population. These two end members do not differ sig- nificantly in distribution and abundance, occurrence in rock types, stratigraphie horizons, or geographic regions; thus, they cannot be explained as ecotypes, evolutionary popula- tions, or subspecies, but can be regarded most appropriately as intraspecific morphotypes. Moreover, although Wreford Cornposita specimens are highly variable in morphology, no systematic variations are apparent which could be attributed to ecologic, evolutionary, or clinal difference. Finally, salinity or sediment influx may have been important limiting environmental factors for the Wreford Cornposita subtilita; extensive shell beds involving this species covered the southern reaches of the sea floor at certain times during Wreford deposition. INTRODUCTION The stratigraphy and environments of deposi- 1973; this paper). The Wreford crops out in a tion of the Lower Permian Wreford Megacyclo- north-south belt extending from southernmost them have been thoroughly described (Hattin, Nebraska, through Kansas, into northern Okla- 1957; Cuffey, 1967; Newton, 1971; Garihan, 1973; homa (Newton, 1971, p. 11). The Wreford Mega- Lutz-Garihan and Cuffey, in press), thus provid- cyclothem includes these stratigraphie units: the ing excellent background for paleontologic studies Speiser Shale; the Threemile Limestone Member, (Cuffey, 1967; Newton, 1971; Warner and Cuffey, Havensville Shale Member, and Schroyer Lime- 1 Manuscript received February 18, 1975; manuscript revised July 2, 1975. 2 The University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions—Paper 81 stone Member of the Wreford Limestone; and when studied by the methods contemplated for the Wymore Shale Member of the Matfield this investigation have significantly advanced Shale. paleobiologic understanding in the case of various Because the Wreford biota includes abundant Wreford bryozoan groups. Moreover, even though and diversified brachiopods that previously had these animals are morphologically rather simple not been studied via the detailed approaches externally, significantly more extensive numerical profitably applied to the bryozoans contained in characterization of their features could be ac- the Wreford, the brachiopods have much po- complished than had been previously, in order tential for paleobiologic investigations. Con- 1) to help resolve taxonomic problems and 2) to sequently, over 10,000 brachiopods have been col- indicate to what causes—stratigraphie or evolu- lected throughout the Wreford outcrop belt, each tionary, lithologic or paleoecologic, geographic or specimen precisely located in terms of its geo- clinal—observable morphologic variability might graphic locality, stratigraphie horizon, and lith- be attributed. Finally, the use of numerical as ologic occurrence. Such large population-sized well as qualitative methods helps in the formula- samples make possible thorough study of the tion of a thorough description of an Early morphology and variability exhibited by these Permian population of Composita subtilita, which brachiopods, and thus they enable the paleon- can serve as a point of comparison for investigat- tologist to recognize among them species that ors concerned with the evolution of late Paleozoic more closely approach paleobiologic species con- Composita species. cepts than has often been the case in paleontologic practice. Also, conclusions may be made con- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS cerning possible interrelationships among vari- abilities induced by taxonomic, evolutionary, I thank R. J. Cuffey and J. M. Garihan for stratigraphie, geographic, and paleoecologic causes. ideas and help throughout this project. The manu- This paper treats in detail one of the Wreford script was improved through suggestions by R. E. brachiopod genera, Composita (see also Garihan, Grant and A. J. Rowell. The Kansas Geological 1973), because its members are abundant within Survey (W. W. Hambleton, Director; J. C. Davis, the Wreford Megacyclothem, well preserved, Geologic Research Section) funished financial taxonomically challenging, and highly variable in help which enabled the fossil collections to be their stratigraphie, lithologie, and geographic oc- currence. Communications from brachiopod spe- made; the Pennsylvania State University provided cialists suggested that Composita constituted an varied facilities. The Field Museum of Natural extremely difficult group to treat taxonomically at History in Chicago (M. H. Nitecki, Curator; K. the species level. However, the Wreford forms Krueger, Custodian of Collections, Paleontology) comprise a very large sample, and such samples provided relevant type specimens. METHODS OF INVESTIGATION OF THE WREFORD BRACHIOPODS COLLECTING LOCALITIES sions (lower (1), middle (m), and upper (u)) of the units containing the Wreford Megacyclothem Most of the brachiopods used in this study —the Speiser Shale (Sp); the Threemile Lime- were collected from localities already adequately stone Member (Wt), Havensville Shale Member described by Cuffey (1967, p. 18-20, 89-94) and (Wh), and Schroyer Limestone Member (Ws) of Newton (1971, p. 15-16); others were obtained the Wreford Limestone; and the Wymore Shale from new localities included in the following list Member (Mw) of the Matfield Shale. Following (Fig. 1). To maintain consistency, I have con- this, the condition of exposures at the locality is tinued the format and nomenclature of Cuffey indicated, whether very good (VG), good (G), and Newton. After the number and description fair (F), poor (P), or very poor (VP). Published of each locality, the stratigraphie units exposed references to the particular locality are cited there are indicated in terms of the informal divi- where appropriate. Lutz-Garihan—Composita subtilita in the Wreford Megacyclothem 3 NEBRASKA 7 - 7 KANSAS - 4.1 ---- H Marysv„i Ile _L ,MARSHALL (ML) j I Blue Ito Rapid%_ . 4-- - -7 - -r- - - LL ; _ 1POTTAWATOM I I I _; 17 Westmoreland, I • ' -4 - -4 4- i 1 1 1 1 Wamego _II I I j _LI ; lma ; rro.ift. t 1 Wt‘BAUNSEE r 7 -1 -1 I (WA): I + 4- -4 4 4 I i COWLEY (CY): H 1 H , Winfield 4 -4 Arkansas *14 r City : 1 45 1 146 , 4 KANSAS!— H 49; - 8T- OKLAHOMA 's KANSAS -64 qk L A HOM A _ii —7— 7 1 ;_ - eL .77710, • KAY (K,A)! -1 1 ! : I I - I ! I- -I -F-f—H ) , 4 ',- r 4 0- 1- -, 1 Blackwel 1 1 1 De 1 1 1 1 n i , 1 1 ' -i -101 +-. „-,- f- -t -+- -1 - -1- --I- -II ; Ponciti n- sdi ; ! OSAGE (OS) 1, =477.71 - ---H-- 4- - - i+ - 1 - City* rr +-1 -,, 1 i t, -, os_ _ _ i _ IPawhuska 1 1 ,..„_, r I - • r - 1 . _,.1 4. -4 -4 I__I . I-- - -; + -re - 1 f Li- -t 1_1\1913,14 1\ -:t. bpi Li_ _ _ _ _ 4' _41 I. i I_ ILPiW'Pawnee ..)1 2 Ili I ' (NO) 4 1- (-p..-.‘. --1 — 4- - I, caperiy :0(1)2 [ AWNE-E v. I ! d 1 • — 7 (PW) 1 ! .-. ! ii I-1- —L. ..., --i- . .1—. - 1 FIG. 1 Wreford localities in Kansas and northern Oklahoma described in text. 4 The University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions—Paper 81 Cowley County. Kansas of Grainola; SW corner sec. 35, T. 29 N., CY44: Field gully and road ditch on north side R. 5 E. /-uWt; G. of U.S. Hwy. 166, 0.3 mile north of spill- OS05: Road ditch along county road, 0.7 mile way for Cowley County State Lake; SE1/4 east of junction of county roads; NE1/4 NE1/4 SE1/4 sec. 7, T. 34 S., R. 6 E. uWs- NW1/4 NE1/4 sec. 2, T. 24 N., R. 4 E. uMw; P. mSp, uWt, and mMw. CY45: Gully just south of county road, 1.1 miles Pawnee County, Oklahoma east of Otto; NW1/4 NW1/4 sec. 29, T. 34 PW03: Road cut on county road, mile S., R. 7 E. mSp-uWt; G. 0.1 west of bridge over Walker Creek; SE corner CY46: Road cut on county road, 1.6 miles south- SW1/4 sec. 21, T. 23 N., R. 4 E. east of Otto; SW1/4 SE1/4 SE1/4 sec. 30, /-mSp; F; Greig, 1959, p. 101-105. T. 34 S., R. 7 E. mSp-uWt; F CY47: Road cut on county road, 1.1 miles south Pottawatomie County, Kansas of Otto; NW corner sec. 31, T. 34 S., R. PT17: Road cut on Kan. Hwy. 13, 0.1 mile 7 E. /-uWt; F. north of junction with county road; CY48: Road ditch on county road, 1.5 miles NW 1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 sec. 22, T. 8 S., R. 8 south of Otto; NW1/4 NW1/4 SW1/4 sec. E. /-uMw; VG. 31, T. 34 S., R. 7 E. mSp-uWt; F. CY49: Stream cut just north of county road, 4.2 Wabaunsee County, Kansas miles southwest of Otto; NW corner sec. WA 10: Road cut on county road, 1 mile south- 13, T. 35 S., R. 6 E. /-uWt; F. east of Volland; NE1/4 SW1/4 sec. 10, T. 13 S., R. 9 E. /Sp-/Ws; VP; Hattin, 1957, Kay County, Oklahoma p. 146 (loc. 42). KA04: Road cuts on county road, 0.0-0.2 mile east WAN: Stream bed, 1.5 miles southeast of Vol- of junction of county roads; SW1/4 SW1/4 land; NE1/4 NE1/4 sec.