Siveter, D. J.; Perrier, V.; Williams, M. (2020). Silurian myodocopes display adaptations for a nektobenthic lifestyle: The paleobiological evidence. Marine Micropaleontology. 101906.

385335

10.1016/j.marmicro.2020.101906 [view]

Siveter, D. J.; Perrier, V.; Williams, M.

2020

101906

Publication

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There is comprehensive, complementary sedimentological, faunal and paleogeographic data to indicate that myodocopid ostracods invaded the water column in the Silurian, in the latest Wenlock and especially the Ludlow Epoch, resulting in the pioneer pelagic ostracod fauna. As detailed herein, there is now also considerable paleobiological evidence, from study of rare, exceptionally preserved fossil myodocopes, particularly the nektobenthic myodocopids of the mid Wenlock Herefordshire Lagerstatte, ¨ UK, that anatomical and other features that enabled this ecological transition were already present in early Silurian myodocopes. The oldest known Silurian myodocope, a species of the Herefordshire cylindroleberidid myodocopid genus Pauline, established from shells from Telychian Llandovery Series carbonates of Greenland, would have had similar anatomical features and therefore adaptations for nektonic activity. Evidence from rare Late Ordovician species suggests even earlier nektobenthic activity by myodocopes.

Paleontology, Fossils, Paleobiology

Ostracoda

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