A Lower Palaeozoic 'onychophoran' reinterpreted as a pelmatozoan (stalked echinoderm) column

Authors

  • Freek Rhebergen
  • Stephen K. Donovan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4138/2116

Abstract

Onychophorans are rare fossils, but are currently the subject of renewed research activity. However, not all 'onychophorans' have been correctly identified. The specimen described herein is preserved as a natural mould in an Upper Ordovician cobble from a Quaternary glacial deposit. The 'legs' are actually elongate tubercles, arranged in irregular circlets and showing calcite cleavage; the annulations of the body are irregularly spaced. The specimen is reinterpreted as a pelmatozoan, probably crinoid, pluricolumnal. RÉSUMÉ Les onychophores sont des fossiles rares, mais font préscntement L'objet d'une activité de recherche renouvelée. Toutefois, ce ne sont pas tous les «onychophores» qui ont été correctement identifiés. Le spécimen décrit ici est préservé com me un moulage naturcl dans un caillou Ordovicien supérieur provenant d'un dépôt glaciaire quaternaire. Les «pattes» sont en fait des tubercules allongés, disposes en cercles irréguliers et montrant des clivages de calcite; les annulations du corps sont irrégulierement espacées. Le specimen est réinterpreté comme un pelmatozoaire, probablement un crinoide à plusieurs tiges. [Traduit par la rédaction]

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Published

1994-03-01

How to Cite

Rhebergen, F., & Donovan, S. K. (1994). A Lower Palaeozoic ’onychophoran’ reinterpreted as a pelmatozoan (stalked echinoderm) column. Atlantic Geoscience, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.4138/2116

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 1 (1994)

Section

Articles

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