A new noncalcified dasycladalean alga from the silurian of Wisconsin

Journal of Paleontology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Noncalcified thalli, consisting of a narrow main axis with numerous branched hairlike laterals in whorls and a subapical array of undivided clavate laterals, from the Silurian (Llandovery) Brandon Bridge Formation of southeastern Wisconsin, constitute the basis for a new genus and species of dasycladalean alga, Heterocladus waukeshaensis. A relationship within the family Triploporellaceae is indicated by the whorled arrangement of the laterals and the absence of gametophores on mature specimens. A compilation of occurrence data suggests that noncalcified dasyclads, as a whole, were more abundant and diverse during the Ordovician and Silurian than at any other time in their history. The heterocladous thallus architecture of this alga adds to a wide range of morphological variation documented among Ordovician and Silurian dasyclads, the sum of which indicates that Dasycladales underwent a significant evolutionary radiation during the early Paleozoic.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title A new noncalcified dasycladalean alga from the silurian of Wisconsin
Series title Journal of Paleontology
DOI 10.1666/0022-3360(2003)077<1152:ANNDAF>2.0.CO;2
Volume 77
Issue 6
Year Published 2003
Language English
Publisher BioOne
Description 7 p.
First page 1152
Last page 1158
Country United States
State Wisconsin
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