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The Machaeridian Lepidocoleus Sarlei Clarke, 1896, from the Rochester Shale (Silurian) of New York State
Author(s) -
Högström Anette E. S.,
Taylor Wendy L.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
palaeontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.69
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1475-4983
pISSN - 0031-0239
DOI - 10.1111/1475-4983.00172
Subject(s) - body plan , paleontology , oil shale , dorsum , confusion , holotype , geology , spine (molecular biology) , anatomy , biology , zoology , genus , bioinformatics , embryo , psychology , microbiology and biotechnology , psychoanalysis
Eight new specimens and the holotype of Lepidocoleus sarlei Clarke, 1896 from Lagersta¨tten deposits within the Rochester Shale (Silurian, Wenlock) of New York are described to elucidate the morphology, function and construction of the scleritome. The material exhibits an unusual type of dorsal hinge with a pronounced antero‐posterior displacement between the two sides. Two specimens have an aberrant sclerite on the right side of segment eleven. One tightly enrolled specimen may demonstrate a method of defence with the stronger protected dorsal side oriented outwards. The presence of a segmented body plan is suggested, based on requirements for a functional spiral enrolment. Distinct anterior and posterior morphologies together with the pattern of rugae provide valuable help in reconstructing disarticulated lepidocoleids.