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Evolution, Functional Morphology and Paedomorphism in the Gogiid-Ascocystitid Lineage (Eocrinoidea; Cambrian-Ordovician)

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Abstract

Gogiid eocrinoids (Lower and Middle Cambrian) are basal echinoderms that document development of pentamerism, origin and emplacement of primitive respiratory structures (epispires), development of blastozoan stalks/stems and exothecal brachioles. By Lower Ordovician they (gogiids) show reduction in epispires. By Middle Ordovician epispires are lost and hollowed longitudinal and latitudinal rays across the sutural plates align into (especially) thecal-length respiratory structures that define the Ascocystitidae. These flexible animals can attain thecal lengths of 180 mm and internal volumes of 60+ cc which argues for some type of internal body fluid circulation—probably by muscular constriction.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Mark Florence, Deputy Collections Manager, Invertebrates, of the Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, pointed out the specimens of Ascocystites, made them available for study and facilitated their latex casting and photography. Mary Lawson, Department of Paleobiology, NMNH, (Retired), greatly improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Tulane University, 70118, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

    R. L. Parsley

  2. Research Associate, Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, DC 20560, Washington, USA

    R. L. Parsley

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Correspondence to R. L. Parsley.

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Parsley, R.L. Evolution, Functional Morphology and Paedomorphism in the Gogiid-Ascocystitid Lineage (Eocrinoidea; Cambrian-Ordovician). Paleontol. J. 55, 966–976 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031030121090100

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031030121090100

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