Occurrence and paleoecological significance of lyssacinosid sponges in the Upper Cretaceous deposits of southern Poland

Ewa Świerczewska-Gładysz,Agata Jurkowska

doi:10.1007/s10347-012-0340-2

Ewa Świerczewska-Gładysz, Agata Jurkowska

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10347-012-0340-2

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Abstract

Cretaceous lyssacinosid sponges (Hexactinellida) are rare and poorly recognized. This is the first description of lyssacinosid sponges from the Cretaceous of Poland. The sponges (including six species and three types of root tufts) come from the Upper Turonian–Lower Coniacian of the Opole Trough, Upper Campanian of the Miechow synclinorium, and Upper Campanian of the SE part of the border synclinorium. All localities lie southwards of the previous reports, widening thus the paleogeographic distribution of the group within the North European Province. Cretaceous lyssacinosids seem to be a useful tool in paleoecological interpretations. The presence of thin-walled lyssacinosids with root tufts indicates a soft substrate, slow rate of sedimentation, and calm and deeper water conditions.

Highlights

Sponges of the order Lyssacinosida Zittel, 1877 are a group of siliceous sponges of the class Hexactinellida Schmidt 1870, commonly referred to as ‘‘glass sponges’’
Cretaceous lyssacinosid sponges (Hexactinellida) are rare and poorly recognized. This is the first description of lyssacinosid sponges from the Cretaceous of Poland
Lyssacinosida have never been documented from the Upper Cretaceous of Poland

Summary

Introduction

Sponges of the order Lyssacinosida Zittel, 1877 (subclass Hexasterophora Schulze, 1886) are a group of siliceous sponges of the class Hexactinellida Schmidt 1870, commonly referred to as ‘‘glass sponges’’. Because the skeleton of lyssacinosid sponges is composed of unfused, or only locally connected spicules, their fossilization potential is definitely lower than that of other siliceous sponges with a rigid skeleton (e.g., Krautter 2002). Root tufts of lyssacinosid sponges composed of long basal spicules, occurring in the Upper Cretaceous deposits of southern Poland, were mentioned in the literature as sea grasses (Rutkowski 1965) or plants Root tufts of lyssacinosid sponges composed of long basal spicules, occurring in the Upper Cretaceous deposits of southern Poland, were mentioned in the literature as sea grasses (Rutkowski 1965) or plants (Roemer 1870, pl. 30, fig. 2; Kedzierski 1995)

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