The Upper Permian tubular fossils from South China and their possible affinity to sabellid polychaetes

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study analyses intriguing tubular fossils derived from the Upper Permian deposits of southern China. The fossils’ structure is diagenetically altered by silicification precluding an unambiguous systematic assignment. However, the general morphology and tube architecture strongly imply a relationship with tube-dwelling organisms of different affinity such as tentaculitoids and tube-dwelling polychaetes. Due to the simple morphology of the tubes lacking any ornamentation, as well as the encrustation mode of some individuals, the investigated specimens most likely belong to early sabellids. Although calcareous sabellids persisted since the Middle Permian, their distribution and abundance during the Permian were confined to a single occurrence. If the fossils studied indeed represent sabellids, the global range and abundance of this group during the late Palaeozoic was likely more extensive than currently assumed.