A revision of the Late Ordovician marellomorph arthropod Furca bohemica from Czech Republic

Rak, Štěpán and Ortega-Hernández, Javier and Legg, David A. (2013) A revision of the Late Ordovician marellomorph arthropod Furca bohemica from Czech Republic. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 58 (3). pp. 615-628. ISSN 0567-7920, ESSN: 1732-2421 DOI https://doi.org/10.4202/app.2011.0038

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Abstract

The enigmatic marrellomorph arthropod Furca bohemica from the Upper Ordovician Letná Formation, is redescribed. Based on existing museum specimens and new material collected from the southern slope of Ostrý Hill (Beroun, Czech Republic), the morphology and taphonomy of F. bohemica is reappraised and expanded to produce a new anatomical interpretation. The previously distinct taxa F. pilosa and Furca sp., are synonymised with F. bohemica, the latter being represented by a tapho−series in which decay has obscured some of the diagnostic features. A cladistic analysis indicates close affinities between F. bohemica and the Hunsrück Slate marrellomorph Mimetaster hexagonalis, together forming the Family Mimetasteridae, contrary to previous models for marrellomorph internal relationships. As with other representatives of the group, the overall anatomy of F. bohemica is consistent with a benthic, or possibly nektobenthic, mode of life. The depositional setting of the Letná Formation indicates that F. bohemica inhabited a shallow marine environment, distinguishing it palaeoecologically from all other known marrellomorphs, which have been reported from the continental shelf.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 1997-2013 Instytut Paleobiologii PAN
Uncontrolled Keywords:	2013AREP; IA66;
Subjects:	04 - Palaeobiology
Divisions:	04 - Palaeobiology
Journal or Publication Title:	Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
Volume:	58
Page Range:	pp. 615-628
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.4202/app.2011.0038
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	24 Nov 2013 01:13
Last Modified:	16 Dec 2013 12:54
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/2932

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