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Diploporite (Echinodermata, Blastozoa) thecal attachment structures from the Silurian of southeastern Indiana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2015

James R. Thomka
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221, USA, ;
Carlton E. Brett
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221, USA, ;

Abstract

Taxonomic descriptions of diploporites from the middle Silurian of eastern Laurentia have focused nearly entirely on thecal plating, with minimal description or figuring of attachment structures. A recently discovered hardground surface within the Wenlock-age (Sheinwoodian) Massie Formation that is encrusted by numerous well-preserved pelmatozoan holdfasts, including structures identifiable as diploporite thecal attachments, provides an opportunity to document the morphology of these rarely described structures. Moderately thin-walled structures with a parabolic, depressed central area composed of seven distinct marginal plates with prominent pores appear to represent thecal attachments of the broad-based trematocystinid holocystitid Paulicystis. Thick-walled, steep-sided structures composed of five to seven fused or partially fused plates with less prominent pores, a deep stelar depression, and radiating canals appear to represent thecal attachments of undetermined, possibly holocystinid or pentacystinid holocystitids. All diploporite holdfasts are cemented to fine-grained, well-sorted skeletal substrates on elevated crests of the hardground surface, but are not found on microbioherms.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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