Melanosclerites are microfossils in the form of flexible rods, solid or subdivided into elements, broadening at either end into swellings of very variable shape. They are composed of a substance resembling chitin in composition and are black in color. When complete, their length may be up to 2 mm; but they are extremely brittle and most often found as fragments whose size is measurable in microns.
The swellings on the ends of the rods show a considerable variation in shape. They may be smoothly rounded or knobbly; they may simulate a tulip or the head of a classical column; or they may divide into three, four, or many divergent prongs (Fig. 1).
Melanosclerites (after Eisenack, 1963). a-c, Melanosteus anceps , Middle Devonian, Germany illustrating the range of variation (a, very short form, X180; b, normal form, X150; c, very long and thin form, X180). d, Melanocyathus dentatus, Ordovician, Baltic, “head” X180; e, unnamed form, Ordovician, Baltic, “head”...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReference
Eisenack, A., 1963. Melanoskleriten aus anstehenden Sedimenten und aus Geschieben, Paläont. Zeitschr., 37(1-2), 122–134.
Cross-reference
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1979 Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, Inc.
About this entry
Cite this entry
Sarjeant, W.A.S. (1979). Melanosclerites . In: Paleontology. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-31078-9_84
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-31078-9_84
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-0-87933-185-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-31078-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive