First record of conulariids from the Tērvete Formation, Upper Devonian of Latvia

Abstract

Phosphatized remains belonging to conulariids have been found in the Middle Famennian (Upper Devonian) deposits of the Tērvete Formation of Latvia for the first time. The ornamentation pattern and characteristics of the exoskeleton indicate that the conulariids, represented by two incomplete and flattened specimens, belong to a single species within the genus Paraconularia. Paraconularia sp. from the Tērvete Formation differs from Conularia latviensis Delle from the Joniškis Formation in size and details of the morphology of the periderm; however, most probably, the species C. latviensis also belongs to the genus Paraconularia. Finding well-preserved almost complete conulariids agrees with the interpretation of sedimentation of the sandy deposits of the Tērvete Formation in the deltaic or estuarine settings.

Keywords

• cnidaria
• scyphozoa
• conulariida
• devonian
• famennian.