Conodont biostratigraphy

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Conodonts are an extinct class of animals whose feeding apparatuses called teeth or elements are common microfossils found in strata dating from the Stage 10 of the Furongian, the fourth and final series of the Cambrian, to the Rhaetian stage of the Late Triassic. These elements can be used alternatively to or in correlation with other types of fossils (graptolites, trilobites, ammonites, ...) in the subfield of the stratigraphy named biostratigraphy.

Contents

Paleozoic conodonts

Cambrian conodonts

It has been suggested that Eoconodontus notchpeakensis can be a marker of Stage 10, the final stage of the Cambrian. [1]

In 2006, a working group proposed the first appearance of Cordylodus andresi . Currently the first appearance of E. notchpeakensis is favored by many authors because it is globally widespread and is independent of facies (known from continental rise to peritidal environments).

The Eoconodontus notchpeakensis proposal would also incorporate a non-biostratigraphic marker to correlate the beginning of Stage 10 globally. A carbon isotope excursion (the HERB-event) occurs in the lower part of the E. notchpeakensis range.

Approximate protoconodont / paraconodont / euconodont zones of the Cambrian Period
Series / EpochAge /StageSouth China [2] [3] Western North America [4] [5] [1] [6] Australia [7]
Furongian "Stage 10" upper Cordylodus lindstromiCordylodus lindstromi sensu lato (upper sz)Cordylodus lindstromi (in part)
lower Cordylodus lindstromiCordylodus lindstromi sensu lato (lower sz)Cordylodus prolindstromi
Cordylodus intermediusCordylodus intermedius (Clavohamulus hintzei sz)Hirsutodontus simplex (Clavohamulus hintzei sz)
Cordylodus intermedius (Hirsutodontus simplex sz)Hirsutodontus simplex (Hirsutodontus simplex sz)
Cordylodus proavusCordylodus proavus (Clavohamulus elongatus sz)Cordylodus proavus (Clavohamulus elongatus sz)
Cordylodus proavus (Fryxellodontus inornatus sz)Cordylodus proavus (Fryxellodontus inornatus sz)
Cordylodus proavus (Hirsutodontus hirsutus sz)Cordylodus proavus (Hirsutodontus hirsutus sz)
EoconodontusEoconodontus (Cambrooistodus minutus sz)Hispidodontus discretus
Hispidodontus appressus
Eoconodontus (Eoconodontus notchpeakensis sz)Hispidodontus resimus
(debated)ProconodontusProconodontus muelleriTeridontus nakamurai
Proconodontus posterocostatus
Jiangshanian Proconodontus tenuiserratusProconodontus tenuiserratus
Westergaardodina cf. calix -

Prooneotodus rotundatus

Paibian Westergaardodina lui -

Westergaardodina ani

Miaolingian Guzhangian Westergaardodina matsushitai -

Westergaardodina grandidens

Westergaardodina quadrata
Shandongodus priscus -

Hunanognathus tricuspidatus

Drumian Gapparodus bisulcatus -

Westergaardodina brevidens

Wuliuan
Series 2 "Stage 4"
"Stage 3"
Terreneuvian "Stage 2"
Fortunian

Ordovician conodonts

Early Ordovician

The base of the Tremadocian, the lowest stage of Ordovician, is defined as the first appearance of Iapetognathus fluctivagus at the GSSP section in Newfoundland.

No conodont species is associated with the Floian, the second stage of the Ordovician.

Middle Ordovician

The base of the Dapingian, the third stage of the Ordovician, is defined as the first appearance of Baltoniodus triangularis.

The base of the Darriwilian, the fourth stage of the Ordovician, lies just above the North Atlantic Microzarkodina parva conodont zone. The base also lies in the upper part of the North American Histiodella altifrons conodont zone.

The Whiterock Stage refers mainly to the early Middle Ordovician in North America. It is often used in the older literature in a global sense. The Whiterock Stage is given a range from 471.8 (ca. 472) to 462 m.y.a., spanning close to 10 million years. Officially its start is defined by the potentially lowest occurrence of the conodont Protoprioniodus aranda or Baltoniodus triangularis.

Late Ordovician

No conodont species is associated with the Sandbian, the Katian, nor with the Hirnantian, the fifth, sixth and seventh and final stages of the Ordovician.

Baltoniodus gerdae has been found in the early Sandbian Bromide Formation, in Oklahoma, United States.

Silurian conodonts

Llandovery

The Llandovery epoch lasted from 443.8 ± 1.5 to 433.4 ± 2.8 mya, and is subdivided into three stages: the Rhuddanian, lasting until 440.8 million years ago, the Aeronian, lasting to 438.5 million years ago, and the Telychian.

The Telychian (Late Llandovery) of Estonia can be defined by five conodont zones ( Pterospathodus eopennatus ssp. n. 1, P. eopennatus ssp. n. 2, P. amorphognathoides angulatus, P. a. lennarti and P. a. lithuanicus). [8]

Wenlock

The Wenlock, which lasted from 433.4 ± 1.5 to 427.4 ± 2.8 mya, is subdivided into the Sheinwoodian (to 430.5 million years ago) and Homerian ages.

The Sheinwoodian (Wenlock) is defined between the acritarch biozone 5 and the last appearance of Pterospathodus amorphognathoides. The global boundary stratotype point is in Hughley Brook in Apedale, U.K.

Ludlow

The Ludlow, lasting from 427.4 ± 1.5 to 423 ± 2.8 mya, comprises the Gorstian stage, lasting until 425.6 million years ago, and the Ludfordian stage.

Přídolí

Devonian conodonts

Early Devonian

The Early Devonian lasts from 419.2 ± 2.8 to 393.3 ± 2.5 and begins with the Lochkovian stage, which lasts until the Pragian. This spans from 410.8 ± 2.8 to 407.6 ± 2.5, and is followed by the Emsian, which lasts until the Middle Devonian begins, 393.3± 2.7 million years ago.

Middle Devonian

The Middle Devonian comprises two subdivisions, the Eifelian giving way to the Givetian 387.7± 2.7 million years ago.

Late Devonian

Finally, the Late Devonian starts with the Frasnian, 382.7 ± 2.8 to 372.2 ± 2.5, followed by the Famennian subdivision, the beginning and end of which are marked with extinction events. This lasted until the end of the Devonian, 358.9± 2.5 million years ago. During that stage, a biologic event occurred (Upper Kellwasser Extinction of all Ancyrodella and Ozarkodina and most Palmatolepis , Polygnathus and Ancyrognathus ). The Famennian (372.2 ± 1.6 mya) is defined by a GSSP Golden Spike located at Coumiac quarry, Montagne Noire, France where there is a biologic abundant occurrence of Palmatolepis triangularis.

Carboniferous conodonts

Mississippian (also known as Lower Carboniferous)

The Tournaisian, the oldest age of the Mississippian contains eight conodont biozones:

The Visean, the second age of the Mississippian, contains four conodont biozones:

  • the zone of Lochriea nodosa
  • the zone of Lochriea mononodosa
  • the zone of Gnathodus bilineatus
  • the zone of Gnathodus texanus

The Serpukhovian, the third or youngest age of the Mississippian, includes four conodont biozones:

  • the zone of Gnathodus postbilineatus
  • the zone of Gnathodus bollandensis
  • the zone of Lochriea cruciformis
  • the zone of Lochriea ziegleri

Pennsylvanian (also known as Upper Carboniferous)

The Bashkirian, the oldest age of the Pennsylvanian, contains six biozones based on conodont index fossils:

The base of the Moscovian, the second stage in the Pennsylvanian, is close to the first appearances of the conodonts Declinognathodus donetzianus and Idiognathoides postsulcatus. A proposal is to use the first appearance of the conodont Diplognathodus ellesmerensis, but since the species is rare and its evolution relatively unknown, it has not been accepted yet. The Moscovian can biostratigraphically be divided into five conodont biozones:

  • the zone of Neognathodus roundyi and Streptognathodus cancellosus
  • the zone of Neognathodus medexultimus and Streptognathodus concinnus
  • the zone of Streptognathodus dissectus
  • the zone of Neognathodus uralicus
  • the zone of Declinognathodus donetzianus

The top of the Kasimovian, the third stage in the Pennsylvanian, is close to the first appearance of the conodont Streptognathodus zethus. The Kasimovian is subdivided into three conodont biozones:

  • the zone of Idiognathodus toretzianus
  • the zone of Idiognathodus sagittatus
  • the zone of Streptognathodus excelsus and Streptognathodus makhlinae

The base of the Gzhelian, the youngest age of the Pennsylvanian, is at the first appearance of Streptognathodus zethus. The top of the stage (the base of the Permian system) is at the first appearance of Streptognathodus isolatus within the Streptognathus "wabaunsensis" chronocline. The Gzhelian stage is subdivided into five biozones, based on the conodont genus Streptognathodus:

  • the zone of Streptognathodus wabaunsensis and Streptognathodus bellus
  • the zone of Streptognathodus simplex
  • the zone of Streptognathodus virgilicus
  • the zone of Streptognathodus vitali
  • the zone of Streptognathodus simulator

Permian conodonts

Cisuralian

The base of the Asselian stage is at the same time the base of the Cisuralian series and the Permian system. It is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where fossils of Streptognathodus isolatus first appear. The top of the Asselian stage (the base of the Sakmarian stage) is at the first appearance of conodont species Streptognathodus postfusus. The Asselian contains five conodont biozones:

  • the zone of Streptognathodus barskovi
  • the zone of Streptognathodus postfusus
  • the zone of Streptognathodus fusus
  • the zone of Streptognathodus constrictus
  • the zone of Streptognathodus isolatus

The base of the Sakmarian stage is laid with the first appearance of Streptognathodus postfusus in the fossil record. The top of the Sakmarian (the base of the Artinskian) is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where fossils of Sweetognathus whitei and Mesogondolella bisselli first appear.

The base of the Artinskian stage is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where fossils of Sweetognathus whitei and Mesogondolella bisselli first appear. The top of the Artinskian (the base of the Kungurian) is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where fossils of Neostreptognathodus pnevi and Neostreptognathodus exculptus first appear.

The base of the Kungurian stage is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where fossils of Neostreptognathodus pnevi and Neostreptognathodus exculptus first appear. The top of the Kungurian (the base of the Roadian and the Guadalupian series) is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where fossils of Jinogondolella nanginkensis first appear. The Kungurian contains three conodont biozones:

  • the zone of Neostreptognathodus sulcoplicatus
  • the zone of Neostreptognathodus prayi
  • the zone of Neostreptognathodus pnevi

Guadalupian

The base of the Roadian is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where fossils of Jinogondolella nankingensis first appears. The top of the Roadian (the base of the Wordian stage) is at the first appearance of fossils of Jinogondolella aserrata.

The base of the Wordian stage is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where fossils of Jinogondolella aserrata first appear. The top of the Wordian (the base of the Capitanian stage) is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where Jinogondolella postserrata first appears.

The base of the Capitanian stage is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where fossils of Jinogondolella postserrata first appear. The top of the Capitanian (the base of the Wuchiapingian and Lopingian series) is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where Clarkina postbitteri postbitteri first appears. The Capitanian contains three conodont biozones:

  • the zone of Clarkina postbitteri hongshuiensis
  • the zone of Jinogondolella altudaensis
  • the zone of Jinogondolella postserrata

Lopingian

The base of the Wuchiapingian stage is defined as the place in the stratigraphic record where Clarkina postbitteri postbitteri first appears. The top of the Wuchiapingian (the base of the Changhsingian) is at the first appearance of conodont species Clarkina wangi.

The base of the Changhsingian stage is at the first appearance of Clarkina wangi. The top of the Changhsingian (the base of the Induan stage and the Triassic system) is at the first appearance of Hindeodus parvus .

Mesozoic conodonts

Early Triassic

The base of the Induan stage (which is also the base of the Lower Triassic series, the base of the Triassic system and the base of the Mesozoic erathem) is defined as the place in the fossil record where Hindeodus parvus first appears.

The base of the Olenekian is at the lowest occurrence of Neospathodus waageni . It is defined as ending near the lowest occurrences of Chiosella timorensis .

Middle Triassic

The base of the Anisian stage (also the base of the Middle Triassic series) is sometimes laid at the first appearance of Chiosella timorensis in the stratigraphic record. The top of the Anisian (the base of the Ladinian) is at the first appearance of Neogondolella praehungarica .

The Ladinian is defined by the first appearance of Budurovignathus praehungaricus .

Upper Triassic

The top of the Carnian (the base of the Norian) is at the conodont biozones of Metapolygnathus communisti or Metapolygnathus primitius.

The Norian stage begins at the base of the conodont biozones of Metapolygnathus communisti and Metapolygnathus primitius. The top of the Norian (the base of the Rhaetian) is close to the first appearance of Misikella spp. and Epigondolella mosheri .

The Alaunian, also known as "Middle Norian", is a sub-age in the Upper Triassic. It begins with the first appearance of Cypridodella multidentata. The stage ends with the first appearance of Cypridodella bidentata.

Related Research Articles

The Guadalupian is the second and middle series/epoch of the Permian. The Guadalupian was preceded by the Cisuralian and followed by the Lopingian. It is named after the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico and Texas, and dates between 272.95 ± 0.5 – 259.1 ± 0.4 Mya. The series saw the rise of the therapsids, a minor extinction event called Olson's Extinction and a significant mass extinction called the end-Capitanian extinction event. The Guadalupian was previously known as the Middle Permian.

The Bashkirian is in the International Commission on Stratigraphy geologic timescale the lowest stage or oldest age of the Pennsylvanian. The Bashkirian age lasted from 323.2 to 315.2 Ma, is preceded by the Serpukhovian and is followed by the Moscovian.

In the geologic timescale, the Capitanian is an age or stage of the Permian. It is also the uppermost or latest of three subdivisions of the Guadalupian Epoch or Series. The Capitanian lasted between 264.28 and 259.51 million years ago. It was preceded by the Wordian and followed by the Wuchiapingian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carnian</span> First age of the Late Triassic epoch

The Carnian is the lowermost stage of the Upper Triassic Series. It lasted from 237 to 227 million years ago (Ma). The Carnian is preceded by the Ladinian and is followed by the Norian. Its boundaries are not characterized by major extinctions or biotic turnovers, but a climatic event occurred during the Carnian and seems to be associated with important extinctions or biotic radiations. Another extinction occurred at the Carnian-Norian boundary, ending the Carnian age.

In the geologic timescale, the Kungurian is an age or stage of the Permian. It is the latest or upper of four subdivisions of the Cisuralian Epoch or Series. The Kungurian lasted between 283.5 and 273.01 million years ago (Ma). It was preceded by the Artinskian and followed by the Roadian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roadian</span> Fifth stage of the Permian

In the geologic timescale, the Roadian is an age or stage of the Permian. It is the earliest or lower of three subdivisions of the Guadalupian Epoch or Series. The Roadian lasted between 273.01 and 266.9 million years ago (Ma). It was preceded by the Kungurian and followed by the Wordian.

In the geologic timescale, the Wordian is an age or stage of the Permian. It is the middle of three subdivisions of the Guadalupian Epoch or Series. The Wordian lasted between 266.9 and 264.28 million years ago (Ma). It was preceded by the Roadian and followed by the Capitanian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wuchiapingian</span> Eighth stage of the Permian

In the geologic timescale, the Wuchiapingian or Wujiapingian is an age or stage of the Permian. It is also the lower or earlier of two subdivisions of the Lopingian Epoch or Series. The Wuchiapingian spans the time between 259.51 and 254.14 million years ago (Ma). It was preceded by the Capitanian and followed by the Changhsingian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Changhsingian</span> Ninth and last stage of the Permain

In the geologic time scale, the Changhsingian or Changxingian is the latest age or uppermost stage of the Permian. It is also the upper or latest of two subdivisions of the Lopingian Epoch or Series. The Changhsingian lasted from 254.14 to 251.9 Ma ago. It is preceded by the Wuchiapingian age/stage and is followed by the Induan age/stage.

The Kasimovian is a geochronologic age or chronostratigraphic stage in the ICS geologic timescale. It is the third stage in the Pennsylvanian, lasting from 307 to 303.7 Ma. The Kasimovian Stage follows the Moscovian and is followed by the Gzhelian. The Kasimovian saw an extinction event which occurred around 305 mya, referred to as the Carboniferous Rainforest Collapse. It roughly corresponds to the Missourian in North American geochronology and the Stephanian in western European geochronology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gzhelian</span> Seventh and final stage of the Carboniferous

The Gzhelian is an age in the ICS geologic timescale or a stage in the stratigraphic column. It is the youngest stage of the Pennsylvanian, the youngest subsystem of the Carboniferous. The Gzhelian lasted from 303.7 to 298.9 Ma. It follows the Kasimovian age/stage and is followed by the Asselian age/stage, the oldest subdivision of the Permian system.

The Moscovian is in the ICS geologic timescale a stage or age in the Pennsylvanian, the youngest subsystem of the Carboniferous. The Moscovian age lasted from 315.2 to 307 Ma, is preceded by the Bashkirian and is followed by the Kasimovian. The Moscovian overlaps with the European regional Westphalian stage and the North American Atokan and Desmoinesian stages.

The Norian is a division of the Triassic Period. It has the rank of an age (geochronology) or stage (chronostratigraphy). It lasted from ~227 to 208.5 million years ago. It was preceded by the Carnian and succeeded by the Rhaetian.

Stage 10 of the Cambrian is the still unnamed third and final stage of the Furongian series. It follows the Jiangshanian and precedes the Ordovician Tremadocian Stage. The proposed lower boundary is the first appearance of the trilobite Lotagnostus americanus around 489.5 million years ago, but other fossils are also being discussed. The upper boundary is defined as the appearance of the conodont Iapetognathus fluctivagus which marks the beginning of the Tremadocian and is radiometrically dated as 485.4 million years ago.

Clarkina is an extinct genus of conodonts. It is considered to be an offshore, outer shelf or basinal, deep-water taxon.

Neostreptognathodus is an extinct genus of conodonts from the Cisuralian.

Jinogondolella is an extinct genus of conodonts.

Streptognathodus is an extinct genus of conodonts from the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian.

Neognathodus is an extinct genus of conodonts.

References

  1. 1 2 Miller, James F.; Evans, Kevin R.; Freeman, Rebecca L.; Loch, James D.; Ripperdan, Robert L.; Taylor, John F. (2018). "Combining biostratigraphy, carbon isotope stratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy to define the base of Cambrian Stage 10". Australasian Palaeontological Memoirs (51): 19–64.
  2. ↑ Dong, Xiping; Repetski, John E.; Bergström, Stig M. (2004). "Conodont Biostratigraphy of the Middle Cambrian through Lowermost Ordovician in Hunan, South China". Acta Geologica Sinica - English Edition. 78 (6): 1185–1206. doi:10.1111/j.1755-6724.2004.tb00776.x. ISSN   1000-9515.
  3. ↑ Dong, Xi-ping; Zhang, Huaqiao (2017). "Middle Cambrian through lowermost Ordovician conodonts from Hunan, South China". Journal of Paleontology. 91 (S73): 1–89. doi:10.1017/jpa.2015.43. ISSN   0022-3360.
  4. ↑ Miller, J. F. (1988). "Conodonts as biostratigraphic tools for redefinition and correlation of the Cambrian–Ordovician Boundary". Geological Magazine. 125 (4): 349–362. doi:10.1017/S0016756800013029. ISSN   0016-7568.
  5. ↑ Miller, James F.; Ethington, Raymond L.; Evans, Kevin R.; Holmer, Lars E.; Loch, James D.; Popov, Leonid E.; Repetski, John E.; Ripperdan, Robert L.; Taylor, John F. (2006). "Proposed stratotype for the base of the highest Cambrian stage at the first appearance datum of Cordylodus andresi, Lawson Cove section, Utah, USA". Palaeoworld. 15 (3–4): 384–405. doi:10.1016/j.palwor.2006.10.017.
  6. ↑ Miller, James F. (2020). "Study and Use of Upper Cambrian to Lower Ordovician conodonts in central, southern, and western Laurentia, 1933–2018". Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments. 100 (1): 95–133. doi:10.1007/s12549-019-00380-9. ISSN   1867-1594.
  7. ↑ Shergold, John H.; Nicoll, Robert S.; Laurie, John R.; Radke, Bruce M. (1991). "The Cambrian - Ordovician boundary at Black Mountain, western Queensland: Sixth International Symposium on the Ordovician System, Guidebook for Field Excursion 1". Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics (48): 1–50.
  8. ↑ An updated Telychian (Late Llandovery, Silurian) conodont zonation based on Baltic faunas. Peep Männik, Lethaia, Volume 40, Issue 1, pp. 45–60, March 2007, doi : 10.1111/j.1502-3931.2006.00005.x
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