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Ponticulocarpus, a new cornute-grade stylophoran from the Middle Cambrian Spence Shale of Utah

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2015

Colin D. Sumrall
Affiliation:
Frederick and Amey Geier Collections and Research Center, Cincinnati Museum Center, 1720 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45202
James Sprinkle
Affiliation:
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas, Austin 78712

Abstract

Four specimens of a new cornute-grade stylophoran Ponticulocarpus robisoni new genus and species are described from the Spence Shale of northern Utah. Ponticulocarpus has wide and thin spinal and glossal processes interpreted as a mechanism for snowshoeing in a soft substrate. The presence of a posterior bar across the inferior posterior lobe, and two small bridges connecting the left adoral to M′2 on the superior face and connecting M1 to M3 on the inferior face are unique in cornute-grade stylophorans. The posterior bar may be homologous with the posterior marginals M′5 and M6 of other cornute-grade stylophorans, and an opening of the most posterior portion of the theca may have resulted in the development of the digital and glossal processes from marginals.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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