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| So far, only few fossils have been recognized as epibionts on graptolites (e.g. Wiman 1902;Koz³owski 1959, 1965, 1967,1970; Mierzejewski 1978; Urbanek & Mierzejewski 1982; Bates & Loydell 2000). As a rule, they are interpreted as commensals or parasites of graptolite colonies. |
| To the right is an example of a Middle Ordovician problematic organic fossil twisted around stipes of the sessile graptolite Mastigograptus (order Mastigograptida). Primarily, this form was described by Koz³owski(1967) from a glacial boulder of Baltic origin under the name Helicosyrinx dextrogyra and assigned tentatively to the Phoronida. Mierzejewski and Kulicki (2003) found that the name Helicosyrinx Koz³owski, 1967 is preoccupied by the generic name of the opisthobranch gastropod Helicosyrinx Baur, 1864. They introduced the name Helicotubulus for the phoronid-like form in question. |
| Based on: Koz³owski, R. 1967. Sur certain fossiles a test organique. - Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 12: 99-132 Mierzejewski, P. and Kulicki, C. 2003. Helicotubulus, a replacement name for Helicosyrinx Koz³owski, 1967 (?Phoronoidea) preoccupied by Helicosyrinx Baur, 1864 (Mollusca, Gastropoda). - Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 48: 446. |
| Edited by Zak³ad Paleobiologii - Goethe Lab Strony Zak³adu Paleobiologii dedykowane s¹ pamiêci Ró¿okrzy¿owców wieków minionych.Uczeni ci, wyprzedzaj¹c swoimi myœlami i odkryciami czasy, w których przysz³o im ¿yæ, nierzadko p³acili cenê najwy¿sz¹ za d¹¿enie do prawdy i reformy spo³eczeñstwa. Mea Victoria in Cruce Rosea 2004 |
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| Zak³ad Paleobiologii - Goethe Lab | Graptolite Net | Pogonophora | Scolecodonta / Polychaete jaws | Organic Microfossils |
| An enigmatic epibiont on the Ordovician graptolite Mastigograptus sp. |
| Genus Helicotubulus Mierzejewski and Kulicki, 2003 by Countess Maja Anna Korwin-Kossakowska |
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| From Koz³owski. |
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| Helicotubulus dextrogyra (Koz³owski) Mierzejewski & Kulicki A-B. Two specimens twisted around stipes of Mastigograptus sp. (Middle Ordovician erratic boulder from Poland) |