Evolution of the late Ludlow to early Lochkovian brachiopod, trilobite and bivalve communities of the Prague Basin and their link with the global carbon cycle

Abstract

New data on the evolution of the Late Silurian to early Lochkovian brachiopod, trilobite and bivalve communities of the Prague Basin and their link with water depth oscillations, bioevents and the global carbon cycle (inferred from new δ13C data) are presented. The results of analyses revealed that some of the benthic communities had rather high potential for stratigraphic correlation, not only within the Prague Basin but also in various peri-Gondwanan basins. It is noteworthy that the stratigraphic ranges of the vast majority of benthic communities match well with both the graptolite biozonation and/or changes in global carbon cycle. Abrupt changes in the global carbon cycle are linked to distinct changes in the evolution of benthic communities and biofacies. Each phase of the mid-Ludfordian carbon isotope excursion may be characterized by a distinct benthic community. Analogous, but still less known changes in benthic communities are documented during the mid-Prˇídolí and Transgrediens events. Stratigraphic ranges of the vast majority of benthic communities of the Prague Basin correspond well with changes in carbon isotope composition of marine carbonates, suggesting that the evolution of marine communities was closely linked to changes in global carbon cycle.