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Camarotoechia mackayi (LPC11_194), from Reefton
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Camarotoechia sp.
Phylum: Brachiopod
Genus: Camarotoechia Species: Camarotoechia daleidensis and Camarotoechia mackayi Location found: Reefton and Baton River |
The genus Camarotoechia comprises several species of robust brachiopods, with thick shells and a small number of heavy ribs. Belonging to the order of Rhynchonellida, the genus appears to have favoured sandy substrates, probably in relatively high energy environments. Its thick shell thus offered it protection.
Two different species of Camarotoechia have been identified in the Devonian strata of New Zealand: C. daleidensis in the Baton River and C. mackayi in the Reefton deposits. (C. daleidensis was also described from supposedly Permian rocks in Southland, by Fletcher 1952, though this attribution may be faulty.) Distinguishing between the two is not easy, so here I have assigned names of the basis of where they were found. The two specimens illustrated above are from Reefton and are therefore provisionally assigned to C. mackayi. The one to the right is from the Baton River, and is thus referres to C. mackayi. Notably, this matches closely the similarly fragmentary specimen illustrated by Shirley (1938). |
Camarotoechia daleidensis (LPC11_193) from the Baton River.
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Further Reading:
Allan, R.S. 1947 A revision of the Brachiopoda of the Lower Devonian strata of Reefton, New Zealand. Journal of Palanteology 21 (5), 436-452.
Earp, C. 2016 Late Early Devonian brachiopods from Montys Hut Formation, central Victoria, Australia. Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology 40(2), 161-181.
Shirley, J. 1938 The fauna of the Baton River beds (Devonian), New Zealand. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society 94, 459-506.
Allan, R.S. 1947 A revision of the Brachiopoda of the Lower Devonian strata of Reefton, New Zealand. Journal of Palanteology 21 (5), 436-452.
Earp, C. 2016 Late Early Devonian brachiopods from Montys Hut Formation, central Victoria, Australia. Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology 40(2), 161-181.
Shirley, J. 1938 The fauna of the Baton River beds (Devonian), New Zealand. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society 94, 459-506.