Briggs, Derek E. G., Kear, Amanda J., Baas, Marianne , de Leeuw, Jan W. and Rigby, Susan (1995) Decay and composition of the hemichordate Rhabdopleura: implications for the taphonomy of graptolites. Lethaia, 28 (1). pp. 15-23. ISSN 0024-1164
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Item Type: | Article |
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Item Status: | Live Archive |
Abstract
Although the graptolites lacked biomineralised tissue, their skeletons are abundantly preserved in deeper-water mudstones. Decay experiments and observations on the closely related living hemichordate Rhabdopleura demonstrate that the periderm and stolon are highly resistant to decay, remaining intact for mouths, whereas the zooids are unrecognizable within days. Curie-point-gas-chromatography (Py-GC) and Curie-point-gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (Pt-GC-MS) of the periderm of Rhabdopleura confirms that proteinaceous organic matter is a major constituent. Ultrastructurally preserved graptolite periderm, on the other hand, is a highly altered kerogen-like substance rich in aliphatic biomacromolecules. The composition of the preserved graptolite periderm reflects diagenetic replacement by components probably mainly derived from algal cell walls. -from Authors
Keywords: | decay experiment, graptolite, hemichordate, Rhabdopleura, taphonomy |
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Subjects: | C Biological Sciences > C180 Ecology C Biological Sciences > C182 Evolution |
Divisions: | Professional services > Vice Chancellors Office |
Related URLs: | |
ID Code: | 20124 |
Deposited On: | 27 Jan 2016 19:45 |
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