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Graptolithina is a subclass of the class Pterobranchia, the members of which are known as graptolites. These organisms are colonial animals known chiefly as fossils from the Middle Cambrian through the Lower Carboniferous (Mississippian). A possible early graptolite, Chaunograptus, is known from the Middle Cambrian. One analysis suggests that the pterobranch Rhabdopleura represents extant graptolites. Studies on the tubarium of fossil and living graptolites showed similarities in the basic fusellar construction and it is considered that the group most probably evolved from a Rhabdopleura-like ancestor.
The Wollaston Medal is a scientific award for geology, the highest award granted by the Geological Society of London.
Rhabdopleurida is one of three orders in the class Pterobranchia, which are small, worm-shaped animals. Members belong to the hemichordates. Species in this order are sessile, colonial, connected with a stolon, living in clear water and secrete tubes called tubarium. They have a single gonad, the gill slits are absent and the collar has two tentaculated arms. Rhabdopleura is the best studied pterobranch in developmental biology. Some claim Rhabdopleura is an extant graptolite.
Monograptidae is an extinct family of graptolites of the Order Graptoloidea. Monograptids have only one row of thecae per stipe, unlike the biserial graptolites which have two opposing rows of thecae per stipe.
Anisograptidae is an extinct family of graptolites. As the first planktic graptolites, they play a crucial role for understanding the transition of graptolites from ocean floor suspension feeders to ocean surface plankton during the early Ordovician.
Sigmagraptidae is an extinct family of graptolites.
Diplograptidae is an extinct family of graptolites.
Climacograptidae is an extinct family of graptolites.
Dicranograptidae is an extinct family of graptolites.
Neodiplograptidae is an extinct family of graptolites.
Dendrograptidae is an extinct family of graptolites.
Axonophora is an extinct suborder of graptolites. It primarily consists of the biserial graptolites, and also includes the retiolitids and monograptids.
References
- ↑ Maletz, Jörg (2017). Graptolite Paleobiology. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 9781118515617.
- ↑ Maletz, Jörg (2014). "The classification of the Pterobranchia (Cephalodiscida and Graptolithina)". Bulletin of Geosciences. 89 (3): 477–540. doi: 10.3140/bull.geosci.1465 . ISSN 1214-1119.
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