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LPB4_31
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Pleurodictyum megastromum
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The coral Pleurodictyum megastomum has been described from the Baton River Formation by Shirley (1938), who also provides photographs. This beautiful specimen is clearly the same species. It shows the characteristic pentagonal cells, with a shallow concave surface and crenellated sides.
Interestingly, in describing his specimens, Shirley interprets the order of growth from the size, shape and position of the cells. In this, larger specimen, there are 17 or 18 cells in total, of varyingly pentagonal shape, with the largest ca. 10 mm in diameter. Assuming that the largest cells began to grow first, and that these acted to constrain the later cells, the order of growth may be interpreted approximately as in the image to the right. (For the last, incomplete cells the order is less clear and has not been marked.) Isn't palantaeology wonderful! |
Further Reading: Shirley, J. 1938 The fauna of the Baton River Beds (Devonian), New Zealand. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society 94, 459-506. |