Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T17:00:02.134Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Olivooides-like tube aperture in early Cambrian carinachitids (Medusozoa, Cnidaria)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2017

Jian Han
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, 229 Taibai Road, Xi’an 710069, P.R. China 〈[email protected]〉, 〈[email protected]〉, 〈[email protected]
Guoxiang Li
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China 〈[email protected]
Xing Wang
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, 229 Taibai Road, Xi’an 710069, P.R. China 〈[email protected]〉, 〈[email protected]〉, 〈[email protected]
Xiaoguang Yang
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, 229 Taibai Road, Xi’an 710069, P.R. China 〈[email protected]〉, 〈[email protected]〉, 〈[email protected]
Junfeng Guo
Affiliation:
School of Earth Science and Land Resources, Key Laboratory of Western China’s Mineral Resources and Geological Engineering, Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054, China 〈[email protected]
Osamu Sasaki
Affiliation:
Tohoku University Museum, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan 〈[email protected]
Tsuyoshi Komiya
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Science and Astronomy, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan 〈[email protected]

Abstract

The early Cambrian Carinachitidae, a family in the subclass Conulata, are intriguing and important small shelly fossils. Their gently tapering, tube-shaped skeletons consist of convex faces separated from each other by broad, deep corner sulci, and they exhibit triradial, pentaradial, or predominantly tetraradial symmetry. However, the morphology of the aperture and the modes of growth of carinachitid skeletons as well as the anatomy of their soft parts are unknown. Examination of a single new, exceptionally well-preserved specimen of tetramerous Carinachites spinatus Qian, 1977, collected from the lower Cambrian Kuanchuanpu Formation in South China, reveals: (1) that its aperture is connected to a small mass of relic soft tissue and (2) that the apertural end of each of the four faces is developed into a subtriangular lappet or oral lobe that is smoothly folded toward the long axis of the tube, partially closing the tube aperture. Similarities between thorn-like spines on the faces and the oral lobes indicate that the transverse ribs were periodically displaced from the perradial portion of the aperture during formation of new ribs. In addition, the tube walls may have undergone secondary thickening during growth. The growth pattern of the tube and the spatial relationships between the tube aperture and soft parts are analogous to those of co-occurring olivooids. These findings further strengthen the previously proposed hypothesis that coeval carinachitids, olivooids, hexangulaconulariids, and Paleozoic conulariids are closely related taxa within the subphylum Medusozoa. Finally, carinachitids most likely represent an evolutionary intermediate between olivooids and hexangulaconulariids.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © 2017, The Paleontological Society 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Babcock, L., 1989, The enigma of conulariid affinities, in Conway Morris, S., and Simonetta, A., eds., The Early Evolution of Metazoa and the Significance of Problematic Taxa: Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, p. 133143.Google Scholar
Babcock, L., Feldmann, R., Hoffmann, A., and Nitecki, M., 1986, The phylum Conulariida, in Hoffman, A., and Nitecki, M.H., eds., Problematic Fossil Taxa: New York, Oxford University Press, p. 135147.Google Scholar
Bengtson, S., and Yue, Z., 1997, Fossilized metazoan embryos from the earliest Cambrian: Science, v. 277, no. 5332, p. 16451648.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berrill, N., 1949, Developmental analysis of Scyphomedusae: Biological Reviews, v. 24, no. 4, p. 393409.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bischoff, G., 1978, Internal structures of conulariid tests and their functional significance, with special reference to Circonulariina n. suborder (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa): Senckenbergiana Lethaia, v. 59, p. 275327.Google Scholar
Brood, K., 1995, Morphology, structure, and systematics of the conulariids: GFF, v. 117, no. 3, p. 121137.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chapman, D., 1966, Evolution of the scyphistoma, in Rees, J., ed., The Cnidaria and Their Evolution. Symposia of the Zoological Society of London, No. 16: London, Academic, p. 5157.Google Scholar
Chen, M.E., 1982, The new knowledge of the fossil assemblages from Maidiping section, Emei County, Sichuan with reference to the Sinian–Cambrian boundary: Chinese Journal of Geology, v. 3, p. 001253001262.Google Scholar
Conway Morris, S., and Chen, M.E., 1992, Carinachitids, hexaconulariids, and Punctatus: Problematic metazoans from the early Cambrian of South China: Journal of Paleontology, v. 66, no. 3, p. 384406.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crowell, S., 1991, Regression and replacement of hydranths in thecate hydroids, and the structure of hydrothecae, in Wiliams, R.B., Cornelius, P.F.S., Hughes, R.G., and Robson, E.A., eds., Coelenterate Biology: Recent Research on Cnidaria and Ctenophora: Dordrecht, Springer, p. 6973.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dong, X.-P., Cunningham, J.A., Bengtson, S., Thomas, C.-W., Liu, J., Stampanoni, M., and Donoghue, P.C., 2013, Embryos, polyps and medusae of the early Cambrian scyphozoan Olivooides: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, v. 280, no. 1757, p.e20130071CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ford, R.C., Van Iten, H., and Clark, G.R. II, 2016, Microstructure and composition of the periderm of conulariids: Journal of Paleontology, v. 90, no. 3, p. 389399.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Galea, H.R., 2008, On a collection of shallow-water hydroids (Cnidaria : Hydrozoa) from Guadeloupe and Les Saintes, French Lesser Antilles: Zootaxa, v. 1878, p. 154.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Han, J., Kubota, S., Li, G., Yao, X., Yang, X., et al., 2013, Early Cambrian pentamerous cubozoan embryos from South China: PloS One, v. 8, no. 8, p. e70741.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Han, J., Kubota, S., Li, G., Ou, Q., Wang, X., et al., 2016a, Divergent evolution of medusozoan symmetric patterns: Evidence from the microanatomy of Cambrian tetramerous cubozoans from South China: Gondwana Research, v. 31, p. 150163.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Han, J., Li, G. X., Kubota, S., Ou, Q., Toshino, S., et al., 2016b, Internal microanatomy and zoological affinity of the early Cambrian Olivooides : Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), v. 90, no. 1, p. 3865.Google Scholar
He, T., 1987, Early Cambrian conulariids from Yangtze platform and their early evolution: Journal of Chengdu University of Technology (Science and Technology Edition), v. 14, p. 718.Google Scholar
He, Y.X, and Yang, X.H., 1986, Early Cambrian coelenterates from Nanjiang, Sichuan: Bulletin of the Chengdu Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, v. 7, p. 3148.Google Scholar
Hughes, N.C., Gunderson, G.O., and Weedon, M.J., 2000, Late Cambrian conulariids from Wisconsin and Minnesota: Journal of Paleontology, v. 74, no. 5, p. 828838.2.0.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jarms, G., 1991, Taxonomic characters from the polyp tubes of coronate medusae (Scyphozoa, Coronatae): Hydrobiologia, v. 216, no. 1, p. 463470.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jerre, F., 1994, Anatomy and phylogenetic significance of Eoconularia loculata, a conulariid from the Silurian of Gotland: Lethaia, v. 27, no. 2, p. 97109.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leme, J.D.M., Simoes, M.G., Marques, A.C., and Van Iten, H., 2008, Cladistic analysis of the suborder Conulariina Miller and Gurley, 1896 (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa; Vendian-Triassic): Palaeontology, v. 51, p. 649662.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, G., Steiner, M., Zhu, X., Yang, A., Wang, H., and Erdtmann, B.D., 2007, Early Cambrian metazoan fossil record of South China: Generic diversity and radiation patterns: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 254, no. 1, p. 229249.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, P., Hua, H., Zhang, L.Y., Zhang, D.D., Jin, X.B., and Liu, Z., 2007, Lower Cambrian phosphatized Punctatus from southern Shaanxi and their ontogeny sequence: Chinese Science Bulletin, v. 52, no. 20, p. 28202828.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Linnaeus, C., 1758, Systema naturae, Vol. 1, 10th (Edition): Holmiae, Laurentii Salvii, 824 p.Google Scholar
Liu, Y., Li, Y., Shao, T., Wang, Y.-p., Yu, B., Han, H.-p., and Yang, J., 2005, Two new species of protoconulariids from the early Cambrian in South Shaanxi, China: Acta Micropalaeontologica Sinica, v. 22, no. 3, p. 311321.Google Scholar
Liu, Y., Li, Y., Shao, T., Zheng, X., Zheng, J., Wang, G., Wang, H., and Wang, K., 2011, A new genus and specie of protoconulariids from the early Cambrian in the south Shaanxi, China: Acta Micropalaeontologica Sinica, v. 28, no. 2, p. 245249.Google Scholar
Liu, Y.H., Xiao, S.H., Shao, T.Q., Broce, J., and Zhang, H.Q., 2014a, The oldest known priapulid-like scalidophoran animal and its implications for the early evolution of cycloneuralians and ecdysozoans: Evolution & Development, v. 16, no. 3, p. 155165.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Liu, Y., Li, Y., Shao, T., Zhang, H., Wang, Q., and Qiao, J., 2014b, Quadrapyrgites from the lower Cambrian of South China: Growth pattern, post-embryonic development, and affinity: Chinese Science Bulletin, v. 59, no. 31, p. 40864095.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Luo, H.L., Jiang, Z.W., Wu, X.C., Song, X.L., Lin, O.Y., and Zhang, S.S., 1982, The Sinian-Cambrian Boundary in Eastern Yunnan: Kinming, People’s Publishing House, 265 p.Google Scholar
Maloof, A.C., Porter, S.M., Moore, J.L., Dud, F.Ö., Bowring, S.A., Higgins, J.A., Fike, D.A., and Eddy, M.P., 2010, The earliest Cambrian record of animals and ocean geochemical change: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 122, no. 11–12, p. 17311774.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Millard, N.A.H., 1975, Monograph on the Hydroida of Southern Africa: Cape Town, Kaapstad, 513 p.Google Scholar
Nutting, C.C., 1900a, American Hydroids (II): Washington, DC, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, DC, 150 p.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nutting, C.C., 1900b, American Hydroids (III): Washington, DC, US Government Printing Office, 113 p.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Puce, S., Bavestrello, G., Arillo, A., Azzini, F., and Cerrano, C., 2002, Morpho-functional adaptation to suspension feeding in Eudendrium (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa): Italian Journal of Zoology, v. 69, no. 4, p. 301304.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Qian, Y., 1977, Hyolitha and some problematica from the lower Cambrian Meishucun Stage in central and SW China: Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, v. 16, no. 2, p. 255275.Google Scholar
Qian, Y., and Bengtson, S., 1989, Palaeontology and biostratigraphy of the early Cambrian Meishucunian Stage in Yunnan Province, South China: Fossils and Strata, v. 24, p. 1156.Google Scholar
Qian, Y., Van Iten, H., Cox, R., Zhu, M., and Zhuo, E., 1997, A brief account of Emeiconularia trigemme, a new genus and species of protoconulariid: Acta Micropalaeontologica Sinica, v. 14, no. 4, p. 475488.Google Scholar
Qian, Y., Chen, M.E., Feng, W., Xu, J., and Liu, D., 1999, Classification and early evolution of different group of SSFS, in Qian, Y., ed., Taxonomy and Biostratigraphy of Small Shelly Fossils in China: Beijing, Science Press of China, p. 159.Google Scholar
Sendino, C., Zágoršek, K., and Vyhlasová, Z., 2011, The aperture and its closure in an Ordovician conulariid: Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, v. 56, no. 3, p. 659663.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steiner, M., Li, G.X., Qian, Y., and Zhu, M.Y., 2004, Lower Cambrian small shelly fossils of northern Sichuan and southern Shaanxi (China), and their biostratigraphic importance: Geobios, v. 37, no. 2, p. 259275.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steiner, M., Li, G.X., Qian, Y., Zhu, M.Y., and Erdtmann, B.D., 2007, Neoproterozoic to early Cambrian small shelly fossil assemblages and a revised biostratigraphic correlation of the Yangtze Platform (China): Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, v. 254, no. 1–2, p. 6799.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steiner, M., Qian, Y., Li, G., Hagadorn, J.W., and Zhu, M., 2014, The developmental cycles of early Cambrian Olivooidae fam. nov. (?Cycloneuralia) from the Yangtze Platform (China): Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 398, p. 97124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Iten, H., 1991, Evolutionary affinities of conulariids, in Conway Morris, S., and Simonetta, A., eds., The Early Evolution of Metazoa and the Significance of Problematic Taxa: Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, p. 145156.Google Scholar
Van Iten, H., 1992a, Anatomy and phylogenetic significance of the corners and midlines of the conulariid test: Palaeontology, v. 35, no. 2, p. 335358.Google Scholar
Van Iten, H., 1992b, Microstructure and growth of the conulariid test: Implications for conulariid affinities: Palaeontology, v. 35, no. 2, p. 359372.Google Scholar
Van Iten, H., de Moraes Leme, J., Simões, M.G., Marques, A.C., and Collins, A.G., 2006, Reassessment of the phylogenetic position of conulariids (?Ediacaran–Triassic) within the subphylum Medusozoa (phylum Cnidaria): Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, v. 4, no. 2, p. 109118.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Iten, H., Zhu, M.Y., and Li, G.X., 2010, Redescription of Hexaconularia He and Yang, 1986 (lower Cambrian, South China): Implications for the affinities of conulariid-like small shelly fossils: Palaeontology, v. 53, p. 191199.Google Scholar
Van Iten, H., Marques, A.C., Leme, J.d.M., Pacheco, M.L., and Simões, M.G., 2014, Origin and early diversification of the phylum Cnidaria Verrill: Major developments in the analysis of the taxon’s Proterozoic–Cambrian history: Palaeontology, v. 57, no. 4, p. 114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Iten, H., Muir, L., Simões, M.G., Leme, J.M., Marques, A.C., and Yoder, N., 2016a, Palaeobiogeography, palaeoecology and evolution of Lower Ordovician conulariids and Sphenothallus (Medusozoa, Cnidaria), with emphasis on the Fezouata Shale of southeastern Morocco: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 460, p. 170178.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Iten, H., Leme, J.M., Pacheco, M.L.A.F., Simões, M.G., Fairchild, T.R., Rodrigues, F., Galante, D., Boggiani, G.C., and Marques, A.C., 2016b, Origin and early diversification of phylum Cnidaria: Key macrofossils from the Ediacaran System of North America, in Goffredo, S., and Dubinsky, Z., eds, The Cnidaria, Past, Present and Future: Berlin, Springer, p. 3140. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-31305-4_3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Werner, B., 1966, Stephanoscyphus (Scyphozoa, Coronatae) und seine direkte Abstammung von den fossilen Conulata: Helgoländer Wissenschaftliche Meeresuntersuchungen, v. 13, no. 4, p. 317347.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Werner, B., 1973, New investigations on systematics and evolution of the class Scyphozoa and the phylum Cnidaria: Publications of the Seto Marine Biology Lab, v. 20, p. 3561.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Xing, Y., Ding, Q., Luo, H., He, T., and Wang, Y., 1984, The Sinian–Cambrian boundary of China: Bulletin of the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Special Issue, p. 155170.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yasui, K., Reimer, J.D., Liu, Y., Yao, X., Kubo, D., Shu, D., and Li, Y., 2013, A diploblastic radiate animal at the dawn of Cambrian diversification with a simple body plan: Distinct from Cnidaria? PLoS One, v. 8, no. 6, p. e65890.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yin, G., He, T., Qian, Y., and Xiao, B., 1999, Geological and geographical distribution of SSF, with discussion on early Cambrian geographical provinces, in Qian, Y., ed., Taxonomy and Biostratigraphy of Small Shelly Fossils in China: Beijing, Science Press of China, p. 159.Google Scholar
Yue, Z., and Bengtson, S., 1999, Embryonic and post-embryonic development of the early Cambrian cnidarian Olivooides : Lethaia, v. 32, p. 181195.Google Scholar
Zhang, H., Xiao, S., Liu, Y., Yuan, X., Wan, B., Muscente, A., Shao, T., Gong, H., and Cao, G., 2015, Armored kinorhynch-like scalidophoran animals from the early Cambrian: Scientific Reports, v. 5, article no. 16521.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed