Dead or alive? Brachiopods and other shells as substrates for endo- and sclerobiont activity in the early Devonian (Lochkovian) of the Barrandian (Czechia)

Mergl, Michal

doi:10.3140/bull.geosci.1838

Cited by 5 publications

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References 34 publications

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“…However, direct evidence has not been found (cf. Mergl 2021). Only one observed byronid specimen of Prestephanoscyphus branzovensis attached to another byronid tube proved the epibiontic mode of life (Fig.…”

Section: Discussion On Morphological Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This was a subject of early microbial decay after death of a brachiopod and released the attached byronid thecae. Indeed, no holdfast was also observed on brachiopod shells, alive and dead, at Bubovice (Mergl 2021). Seaweeds should be considered as alternative substrate for attachment of byronids.…”

Section: Discussion On General Aspects Of Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A several metres long trench of tilted beds of grey bioskeletal limestone was sampled. The limestone yielded abundant and diverse rhynchonelliform brachiopod fauna dominated by orthids, atrypids and diverse epibionts (Mergl 2003(Mergl , 2021. Organophosphatic brachiopods, rugose and auloporid corals, small pisocrinid crinoids, tiny trilobites, gastropods and bivalves are less common.…”

Section: Survey Of Localitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Byronids and similar tubular fossils from the Devonian of the Barrandian area (Czech Republic)

Mergl

Kraft

2022

Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh

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Byronids are problematic fossils of possible cnidarian affinity, only rarely reported from the Devonian, but never previously studied in the Barrandian area, Czech Republic. Two new species Prestephanoscyphus branzovensis sp. nov. and Prestephanoscyphus robustus sp. nov. are erected from the Lochkovian and the Eifelian, respectively. Four poorly known species referred to Byronia are described in open nomenclature from the Emsian and Eifelian. The new genus Parabyronia gen. nov. with the type species Parabyronia elegans sp. nov. is closely related to other sphenothallids but is distinguished by transverse ridges on its theca and short spines at the apertural end of the theca. Definite identification of phosphatic rings as the attachment structure of byronids was proved by new material of the Lochkovian age. A dwarf conularia Pidiconularia gen. nov. with the type species Pidiconularia tubulata sp. nov. is remarkable by its minute size and very fine ornament; its conulariid affinity is proved by subrectangular cross-section and four internal carinae. Microstructure of theca of Prestephanoscyphus is characterised by alternation of compact laminae of aligned columnar microcrystallites and chambered laminae with isometric microcrystallites of apatite. Accretionary growth of byronid theca and structure of the holdfast with basal opening for the adhesive pedal disc support their cnidarian affinity although they likely display the bilateral instead of tetramerous symmetry. The protective function of bilaterally symmetrical whorls of internal apophyses in Prestephanoscyphus is suggested and their role in strengthening of thecal wall or supporting function of gastric septa are disputed. The byronids are regarded as epibionts rather than attached to the rocks. They are representatives of benthic groups with phosphatic shells that declined with decreasing availability of phosphorus in seas and oceans.

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Section: Discussion On Morphological Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussion On General Aspects Of Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Survey Of Localitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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