Middle-Late Paleozoic conodont ecogeochemistry: an overview

The ecogeochemistry is the application of geochemical features to study animal ecology. This approach is promising for using in reconstructions of ancient pelagic ecosystems. Among other Paleozoic fossils of pelagic animals, remains of conodonts are the most suitable for ecogeochemical investigations. The article reviews ecogeochemical applications of Middle to Late Paleozoic conodont elements. The following features are considered as the most informative: calcium isotopic composition and element ratios (e.g. Sr/Ca) of conodont apatite, and isotopic composition of carbon of conodont elements. These parameters allow us supposing ecological specialization of conodont species, and temporal and spatial dynamics of the ecogeochemistry of conodonts can be used to reconstruct transformations of ancient pelagic ecosystems.