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First report of a Palaeozoic fenestrate bryozoan with an articulated growth habit

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Abstract

Purpose

The main goal of this paper is the description of the erect articulated growth habit for the first time within the Palaeozoic Order Fenestrata, and the interpretation of its occurrence within the evolutionary history of colonial morphology in fenestrates.

Methods

The present paper is based on a single specimen composed of fifteen disarticulated internodes. The specimen was extracted from the outcrop as two minute slabs, one of which was embedded in a two-component epoxy resin for preparation of acetate peels and the other one preserved without subsequent preparation for observation of exterior features.

Results

A new Devonian fenestrate bryozoan genus, Arnaopora, and its type species, A. sotoi, are described from the Emsian-Eifelian Moniello Formation (Asturias, NW Spain). Zooecial characters as well as the development of articulated colonies support the definition of this new genus, which is the first reported representative with an articulated growth habit in the Order Fenestrata, almost exclusively composed of rigidly erect unilaminar forms.

Conclusions

The occurrence of Arnaopora in the early Eifelian coincides with a peak of disparity in fenestrate bryozoan growth forms during the transition between the Early and Middle Devonian. While all previously known morphological variations of growth forms in Palaeozoic fenestrates derive from the basic reticulate habit, articulation evolved from a rigidly branching phylloporinid ancestor. Arnaopora is extremely rare within the abundant and diverse bryozoan fauna of shallow platform facies where it occurs, which is in contrast with the relatively common presence of cellariform colonies in assemblages from modern shallow environments.

Resumen

Objetivo

El propósito principal de este artículo es la descripción del hábito de crecimiento erecto articulado por primera vez en el Orden Fenestrata, y la interpretación de su presencia en el marco de la historia evolutiva de la morfología colonial en los fenestrados.

Métodos

Este trabajo está basado en un ejemplar compuesto por quince segmentos extraído en dos pequeñas lajas; una laja se embutió en resina epoxy para realizar de réplicas de acetato y la otra se conservó sin preparación adicional para observar las características externas del ejemplar.

Resultados

Se describen un nuevo género de briozoos fenestrados devónicos, Arnaopora, y su especie tipo, A. sotoi, de la Formación Moniello (Emsiense-Eifeliense, Asturias, NO de España). Los caracteres zooeciales y el desarrollo de colonias articuladas justifican la definición de este nuevo género, que es el primer representante descrito del hábito articulado en el Orden Fenestrata, casi exclusivamente compuesto por formas unilaminares erectas rígidas.

Conclusiones

La presencia del Arnaopora en el Eifeliense temprano coincide con un pico de disparidad en las formas de crecimiento de los briozoos fenestrados durante la transición entre el Devónico Temprano y Medio. Mientras que todas las variaciones morfológicas conocidas hasta el momento en los fenestrados paleozoicos derivan del hábito reticulado básico, la articulación evolucionó a partir de un phylloporínido erecto ramificado. Arnaopora es extremadamente rara entre la abundante y diversa fauna de briozoos de las facies de plataforma somera en que aparece, en contraste con la presencia relativamente común de colonias cellariformes en asociaciones de ambientes someros modernos.

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Acknowledgements

Luis Miguel Rodríguez Terente (University of Oviedo) is thanked for macro photography of the specimen. Covadonga González Álvarez helped with graphic work. The authors are grateful to the reviewers for their constructive comments. Mary Spencer Jones (NHM, London) is acknowledged for the loan of the SEM image of Crisia elongata Milne Edwards, 1838 NHMUK 1916.8.23.77 (Fig. 2h).

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  1. SONINGEO, S.L. Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Cantabria, C/Isabel Torres, 9 - 39011, Santander, Spain

    Juan Luis Suárez Andrés

  2. Department of Geology, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland

    Patrick N. Wyse Jackson

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  1. Juan Luis Suárez Andrés
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Correspondence to Juan Luis Suárez Andrés.

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Suárez Andrés, J.L., Wyse Jackson, P.N. First report of a Palaeozoic fenestrate bryozoan with an articulated growth habit. J Iber Geol 44, 273–283 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41513-018-0054-6

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