A new subdisarticulated machaeridian from the Middle Devonian of China: Insights into taphonomy and taxonomy using X-ray microtomography and 3D-analysis

Gügel B, de Baets K, Jerjen I, Schuetz P, Klug C (2017)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Acta Palaeontologica Polonica Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Paleobiologi (Polish Academy of Sciences, Institue of Paleobiology)

Publisher: INST PALEOBIOLOGII PAN

Book Volume: 62

Pages Range: 237-247

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.4202/app.00346.2017

Open Access Link: https://doi.org/10.4202/app.00346.2017

Abstract

Machaeridians are an extinct group of armoured annelids, which are mainly known from isolated sclerites present from the Ordovician to the Permian. Based on articulated specimens with preserved soft-tissues and trace fossils, derived machaeridians are interpreted to have an infaunal burrowing mode of life. However, the taphonomy of sclerite associations is still largely unstudied. We herein investigated associated sclerites from the Middle Devonian of China using micro-computer tomography and 3D-analysis. These sclerites belong to a single individual and lie in close proximity. The absence of indications for current alignment, major bioturbation or other processes causing a disarticulation as reflected in the randomly arranged dacryoconarids suggest that the sclerites became disarticulated in the course of the normal decay processes, perhaps aided by scavenging and incomplete burial. The unique morphology of the sclerites indicates that the specimen presented here belongs to a previously undescribed species, which we describe herein as Lepidocoleus kuangguoduni sp. nov.

Authors with CRIS profile

Kenneth de Baets Lehrstuhl für Paläoumwelt

Involved external institutions

Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETHZ) / Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich CH Switzerland (CH) University of Zurich / Universität Zürich (UZH) CH Switzerland (CH)

How to cite

APA:

Gügel, B., de Baets, K., Jerjen, I., Schuetz, P., & Klug, C. (2017). A new subdisarticulated machaeridian from the Middle Devonian of China: Insights into taphonomy and taxonomy using X-ray microtomography and 3D-analysis. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 62(2), 237-247. https://dx.doi.org/10.4202/app.00346.2017

MLA:

Gügel, Benjamin, et al. "A new subdisarticulated machaeridian from the Middle Devonian of China: Insights into taphonomy and taxonomy using X-ray microtomography and 3D-analysis." Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 62.2 (2017): 237-247.

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