Abstract
Protowenella is an early–middle Cambrian, isostrophically coiled, calcareous microfossil originally described from the middle Cambrian (Miaolingian) of Australia; it has been referred previously to the molluscan classes Monoplacophora, Helcionelloida or Gastropoda. A unique specimen from the Henson Gletscher Formation (Miaolingian Series, Wuliuan Stage) of North Greenland has a bilaterally symmetrical operculum preserved in place within the shell aperture. Paired cardinal processes and clavicles on the inner side of the operculum indicate that Protowenella was a hyolith morphologically close to the orthothecid Conotheca. Protowenella is transferred from Mollusca to Hyolitha, Order Orthothecida, Family Protowenellidae nov., representing a novel morphological departure from the generally slender cones of other hyoliths. John S. Peel [ john.peel@pal.uu.se ], Department of Earth Sciences (Palaeobiology), Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, SE-75236, Uppsala, Sweden.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
