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The oldest known bryozoan: P rophyllodictya ( C ryptostomata) from the lower T remadocian ( L ower O rdovician) of L iujiachang, south‐western H ubei, central C hina
Author(s) -
Ma Junye,
Taylor Paul D.,
Xia Fengsheng,
Zhan Renbin
Publication year - 2015
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/pala.12189
Subject(s) - paleontology , ordovician , phylogenetic tree , china , biology , geology , geography , archaeology , biochemistry , gene
A new cryptostome bryozoan, P rophyllodictya simplex sp. nov., is described from the N antzinkuan F ormation ( L ower O rdovician, lower T remadoc) of L iujiachang, central C hina. This antedates the previously oldest known bryozoan by several million years. Colony morphology and the phylogenetic position of P rophyllodictya within C ryptostomata are explored. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that C ryptostomata (except P rophyllodictya ) can be divided into two major groups, and that P rophyllodictya occupies a basal position in the cryptostome tree, which accords with its simple morphology and antiquity. A close relationship is evident between bryozoans from the S outh C hina palaeoplate and those from B altica.