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Research Interests: Geology and Cretaceous
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The late Eocene ‘soft’ sponge fauna of southern Australia is reconstructed based on disassociated spicules and is used to interpret the paleoecology and environmental context of shallow marine communities in this region. The reconstructed... more
The late Eocene ‘soft’ sponge fauna of southern Australia is reconstructed based on disassociated spicules and is used to interpret the paleoecology and environmental context of shallow marine communities in this region. The reconstructed sponge association was compared with coeval sponge assemblages from the Oamaru Diatomite, New Zealand, and with the modern ‘soft’ sponge fauna of southern coastal of Australia. Based on the predominance of shallow- and moderately shallow-water species, the late Eocene assemblage is interpreted to have inhabited waters depths of about 100 m. This contrast with the spicule assemblage from New Zealand, which characterized deeper waters based on the presence of numerous strictly deepwater sponge taxa, and the absence of spicules of shallow-water demosponges represented in the Australian material. The southern Australian Eocene sponge assemblages have clear Tethyan affinities evidenced by the occurrence of sponges known today from diverse regions. This ...
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Exceptionally well-preserved non-lithistid demosponge body fossils are reported from outcrops of the late Eocene Pallinup Formation, Fitzgerald River National Park, south-western Australia. Among 11 species, eight are new to science and... more
Exceptionally well-preserved non-lithistid demosponge body fossils are reported from outcrops of the late Eocene Pallinup Formation, Fitzgerald River National Park, south-western Australia. Among 11 species, eight are new to science and belong to heteroscleromorph orders: Bubarida (Eolipastrotethya picketti gen. et sp. nov., Monocrepidium unispiculatum sp. nov. and M. pauli sp. nov.), Axinellida (Phycopsis arbusculum sp. nov.) and Tetractinellida (Triptolemma solida sp. nov., Pachastrella intermedia sp. nov., P. australis sp. nov. and Geodia hopetouni sp. nov.). A further three species are representatives of the orders Clionaida, Bubarida and Tetractinellida. This fauna has clear affinities with living taxa. Close relationships with some Recent Atlantic species may be understood in the context of a Tethyan legacy. New light is shed on the evolutionary histories of several taxa that are reported for the first time in the fossil record. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6AA2FD29-A88E-49FA-B112-2FF4C6BE2787
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An abundant and diversified assemblage of siliceous loose sponge spicules has been identified in the Late Eocene deposits cropping out along the southern coasts of Australia. Based on the comparison of the obtained spicules with those of... more
An abundant and diversified assemblage of siliceous loose sponge spicules has been identified in the Late Eocene deposits cropping out along the southern coasts of Australia. Based on the comparison of the obtained spicules with those of living sponges, representatives of at least 43 species within 33 genera, 26 families, and 9 orders of "soft" Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha have been identified in the assemblage. Within the studied sediments, the spicules representing demosponge orders Poecilosclerida, Hadromerida, and Astrophorida were the most diverse. The rest of the five demosponge orders (Halichondrida, Agelasida, Haplosclerida, Spirophorida, and Chondrosida) are represented by single families. Also, a single family Plakinidae within the class Homoscleromorpha that includes two genera was present. The diversity of spicules is similar in all studied samples and areas, even distant geographically, and there are only minor differences between the sections. That indic...
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A new species of plicatocrinid (Crinoidea, Cyrtocrinida), Tetracrinus jagti, is recorded from the upper Cenomanian of the Wolbrom-Miechów area (southern Poland). It is characterised by a small, smooth and flattened basal ring, of circular... more
A new species of plicatocrinid (Crinoidea, Cyrtocrinida), Tetracrinus jagti, is recorded from the upper Cenomanian of the Wolbrom-Miechów area (southern Poland). It is characterised by a small, smooth and flattened basal ring, of circular outline. Found associated in our samples are numerous, relatively tall, U-shaped, brachials with granulated latera; these may either belong to this new species, or represent a second plicatocrinid/tetracrinid of Cenomanian age. This present find constitutes the youngest record to date of the family Plicatocrinidae [or Tetracrinidae sensu Nicosia, 1991] in the suborder Cyrtocrinina.
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Ascidian spicules are reported for the first time from the upper Eocene (Paleogene) biosiliceous marls and mudstones of the Blanche Point Formation in the St. Vincent Basin, southeastern Australia. The spicules that belong to the family... more
Ascidian spicules are reported for the first time from the upper Eocene (Paleogene) biosiliceous marls and mudstones of the Blanche Point Formation in the St. Vincent Basin, southeastern Australia. The spicules that belong to the family Polycitoridae are identified as a Recent speciesCystodytescf.dellechiajei, andCystodytessp. and spicules of the family Didemnidae are indentified as representing generaLissoclinum, Didemnum, andPolysyncraton.Five other different morphological spicule types which can be classified only at the family level also belong to the Didemnidae. This study demonstrates that ascidians had a very wide distribution by the late Eocene and that ascidian fauna was already of a modern character.
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Kimmeridgian (Upper Jurassic) crinoids from southern Poland (5 localities) are described and referred to the following taxa: Isocrinus sp., Isocrinus cingulatus, Isocrinus pendulus, Balanocrinus pentagonalis, Balanocrinus subteres,... more
Kimmeridgian (Upper Jurassic) crinoids from southern Poland (5 localities) are described and referred to the following taxa: Isocrinus sp., Isocrinus cingulatus, Isocrinus pendulus, Balanocrinus pentagonalis, Balanocrinus subteres, Millericrinina fam. et sp. indet., Comatulida gen. et. sp. indet., and Palaeocomaster cf. karsensis. Balanocrinids have been recorded from the Kimmeridgian epicratonic succession of central Poland for the first time. Skeletal remains comprise mainly isolated ossicles (columnals, cirrals and brachials) ...
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Most previous publications on Devonian crinoids from the Holy Cross Mountains in Poland have concentrated on crinoid columns, and until now, little has been published about crinoid cups and calyxes. Herein, five crinoid taxa are described... more
Most previous publications on Devonian crinoids from the Holy Cross Mountains in Poland have concentrated on crinoid columns, and until now, little has been published about crinoid cups and calyxes. Herein, five crinoid taxa are described from an abundant occurrence of aboral cups and partial crowns from the Bukowa Góra Member (Emsian) in the Holy Cross Mountains of southern Poland. The following taxa are described: Bactrocrinites sp., Codiacrinus sevastopuloi sp. nov., Halocrinites geminatus (Bohatý, 2005), Halocrinites schlotheimii Steininger, 1831, and a single brachial plate from a flexible crinoid placed in Flexibilia incertae sedis. Simple discoid holdfasts are also present encrusted to cylindrical stromatoporoids. These taxa are the first crinoids described from the remains of partial crowns from Emsian strata of Poland.
FIGURE 27. Spicules of sponges of the order Homosclerophorida; A–G—Amphiclads of Placinolopha cf. sarai Lévi & Lévi, 1989, family Plakinidae; H—Amphiclad, fragment; I–K—Lophocaltrops of Placinolopha cf. bedoti, family Plakinidae; L—Triod,... more
FIGURE 27. Spicules of sponges of the order Homosclerophorida; A–G—Amphiclads of Placinolopha cf. sarai Lévi & Lévi, 1989, family Plakinidae; H—Amphiclad, fragment; I–K—Lophocaltrops of Placinolopha cf. bedoti, family Plakinidae; L—Triod, probably of Placinolopha cf. bedoti, family Plakinidae.
FIGURE 26. Spicules of recent sponges; A—Spicules of Chondrilla nucula (from Rützler et al. 2007); B—Spicules of Chondrilla secunda (from Fromont et al. 2008); C, D—Amphiclads of Samus anonymus (from van Soest & Hooper 2002a).
FIGURE 25. Spicules of sponges of the order Spirophorida; A–H—Amphitriaenes of Samus anonymus, family Samidae.
FIGURE 31. Other demosponge spicules and their hypothetical assignment; A—Strongyle-like spicule of unidentified sponge; B–F—Different types of fusiform spicules of unidentified sponge; G; H—Styles of unidentified sponge; I—Club-shaped... more
FIGURE 31. Other demosponge spicules and their hypothetical assignment; A—Strongyle-like spicule of unidentified sponge; B–F—Different types of fusiform spicules of unidentified sponge; G; H—Styles of unidentified sponge; I—Club-shaped spicule of unidentified sponge; J, K—Rhabdostyles of unidentified sponge; L—Comma spicule of unidentified sponge; M—Sculptured, acanthostrongyle-like spicule of unidentified sponge.
FIGURE 29. Other demosponge spicules and their hypothetical assignment; A, B—Bold triods of unidentified sponge; C, D—Triods of unidentified sponge; E—Acanthotriod of Stelletta splendens-type, family Ancorinidae (order Astrophorida); F,... more
FIGURE 29. Other demosponge spicules and their hypothetical assignment; A, B—Bold triods of unidentified sponge; C, D—Triods of unidentified sponge; E—Acanthotriod of Stelletta splendens-type, family Ancorinidae (order Astrophorida); F, G—Acanthocalthrops of unidentified sponge; H—Spicule of unidentified sponge; I—Crambe-like spicule, family Crambeidae (order Poecilosclerida); J—Spicule of unidentified sponge; K—Spicule of unidentified sponge; L—Spherical spicules of unidentified sponge/s; M—Spicule of unidentified sponge; N–Q—Different types of spined spicules of unidentified sponge/s.
FIGURE 23. Spicules of sponges of the order Poecilosclerida; A–C—Acanthorhabds of Crellastrina sp. (described as Yvesia), family Crellidae; D—Detail—spined spines of the acanthorhabd; E–L—Other types of acanthorhabds, probably of... more
FIGURE 23. Spicules of sponges of the order Poecilosclerida; A–C—Acanthorhabds of Crellastrina sp. (described as Yvesia), family Crellidae; D—Detail—spined spines of the acanthorhabd; E–L—Other types of acanthorhabds, probably of Crellastrina-like sponges, family Crellidae.
FIGURE 22. Spicules of recent peocilosclerid sponges; A—Punctated oxea of Histodermella australis (after van Soest 2002); B—Acanthorhasbds of Rhabdeurypon spinosum (after Hooper 2002b); C—Triod of Trikentrion flabelliforme (after Hooper... more
FIGURE 22. Spicules of recent peocilosclerid sponges; A—Punctated oxea of Histodermella australis (after van Soest 2002); B—Acanthorhasbds of Rhabdeurypon spinosum (after Hooper 2002b); C—Triod of Trikentrion flabelliforme (after Hooper 2002b); D—Acanthorhabds of Crellastrina alecto (from van Soest 2002b after Topsent 1904).
FIGURE 21. Spicules of sponges of the order Poecilosclerida; A, B—Punctated oxeas of Histodermella australis Dendy, 1924, family Coelosphaeridae; C, D—Acanthoxeas of Histodermella sp., family Coelosphaeridae; E–H—Different types of... more
FIGURE 21. Spicules of sponges of the order Poecilosclerida; A, B—Punctated oxeas of Histodermella australis Dendy, 1924, family Coelosphaeridae; C, D—Acanthoxeas of Histodermella sp., family Coelosphaeridae; E–H—Different types of acantooxeas of the order Poecilosclerida; I—Isochelae microsclere of the order Poecilosclerida; J, K—Sigma microscleres of the order Poecilosclerida; L, M—Tylotes of the order Poecilosclerida; N—Cladotylote of Acarnus sp., family Acarnidae (not complete); O—Triod of Trikentrion flabelliforme, family Raspailiidae.
FIGURE 20. Spicules of recent sponges of the order Poecilosclerida; A—Anisodiscorhabds of Sigmosceptrella carlinae (redrawn from Boury-Esnault & van Beveren 1982); B—Anisodiscorhabds of Sigmosceptrella quadrilobata (redrawn from Kelly &... more
FIGURE 20. Spicules of recent sponges of the order Poecilosclerida; A—Anisodiscorhabds of Sigmosceptrella carlinae (redrawn from Boury-Esnault & van Beveren 1982); B—Anisodiscorhabds of Sigmosceptrella quadrilobata (redrawn from Kelly & Samaai 2002); C—Pseudoastrose acanthotylote of Discorhabdella incrustans (redrawn from van Soest 2002c); D, E—Exotyles of Mycale (Rhaphidotheca) loricata (redrawn from van Soest & Hajdu 2002, after Topsent 1896); F, G—Dischelae of Coelodischela diatomorpha (redrawn from Hajdu & Lerner 2002, after Vacelet et al. 1976).
FIGURE 19. Spicules of sponges of the order Poecilosclerida; A–E—Anisodiscorhabds of Sigmosceptrella quadrilobata, family Podospongiidae; F–H—Exotyles of Mycale (Rhaphidotheca) cf. loricata, family Mycalidae; I–L—Exotyles of Mycale... more
FIGURE 19. Spicules of sponges of the order Poecilosclerida; A–E—Anisodiscorhabds of Sigmosceptrella quadrilobata, family Podospongiidae; F–H—Exotyles of Mycale (Rhaphidotheca) cf. loricata, family Mycalidae; I–L—Exotyles of Mycale (Rhaphidotheca) sp., family Mycalidae; M, N—Dischelae of Coelodischela cf. massa, family Guitarridae; O—Pseudoastrose acanthotylote of Discorhabdella cf. incrustans, family Crambeidae; P—Discorhabd of Sigmosceptrella quadrilobata, family Podospongiidae; Q–T—Acanthostyles of the family Myxyllidae, order Poecilosclerida.
FIGURE 18. Spicules of sponges of the order Poecilosclerida; A–C—Sanidasters of Sceptrintus richardi, family Podospongiidae; D–I—Other Sceptrintus-like spicules.
FIGURE 17. Sanidasters of Recent Sceptrintus richardi (redrawn from Topsent 1904).
FIGURE 16. Spicules of sponges of the order Haplosclerida; A–F—Different types of strongyles of Petrosia sp., family Petrosiidae.
FIGURE 15. Spicules of sponges of the order Halichondrida; A–G, I—Tuberculated diactines of Monocrepidium cf. eruca, family Bubaridae; H, J–L—Diactines of Bubaris sp., family Bubaridae.
FIGURE 14. A. Micraster of recent Tethya omanensis (redrawn from van Soest & Beglinger 2008); B—Oxyaster of recent Tethyastra oxyaster (redrawn from Burton 1934).
FIGURE 13. Spicules of sponges of the order Hadromerida; A–D—Different types of selenasters of Placospongia sp., family Placospongiidae; E—Micraster of the Tethya cf. omanensis, family Tethyidae; F–H—Oxyasters of the Tethyastra oxyaster,... more
FIGURE 13. Spicules of sponges of the order Hadromerida; A–D—Different types of selenasters of Placospongia sp., family Placospongiidae; E—Micraster of the Tethya cf. omanensis, family Tethyidae; F–H—Oxyasters of the Tethyastra oxyaster, family Tethyidae.
FIGURE 12. Spicules of recent representants of the order Hadromerida; A—Subtylostyle of Cliona mucronata (redrawn from Calcinai 2005); B—subtylostyle of Cliona mucronata (redrawn from Vacelet & Vasseur 1971); C—Club-shaped spicules of... more
FIGURE 12. Spicules of recent representants of the order Hadromerida; A—Subtylostyle of Cliona mucronata (redrawn from Calcinai 2005); B—subtylostyle of Cliona mucronata (redrawn from Vacelet & Vasseur 1971); C—Club-shaped spicules of Sphaerotylus vanhoeffeni (described as S. capitatus; redrawn from Hentschel 1914; size from 504 to 1080 µm).
FIGURE 11. Verticillate acanthostrongyle of Dotona pulchella (redrawn from Calcinai et al. 2001).
FIGURE 6. Short-shafted mesodichotriaenes of recent pachastreallids (order Astrophorida); A—Brachiaster simplex (from Maldonado 2002); B—Triptolemma cladosum (from Maldonado 2002, redrawn from Sollas 1888).
FIGURE 5. Spicules of sponges of the order Astrophorida; A—Mesodichotriaene, family Pachastrellidae; B—Dichotriaene, family Pachastrellidae; C–G—Mesotriaenes of Pachastrella-like sponge, family Pachastrellidae; H–J—Calthrops of... more
FIGURE 5. Spicules of sponges of the order Astrophorida; A—Mesodichotriaene, family Pachastrellidae; B—Dichotriaene, family Pachastrellidae; C–G—Mesotriaenes of Pachastrella-like sponge, family Pachastrellidae; H–J—Calthrops of Calthropella sp., family Calthropellidae; K—Spicule of the order Astrophorida; L—Triaene of Brachiaster cf. claudlevii, family Pachastrellidae; M—Triaene of Triptolemma cladosum, family Pachastrellidae; N–O—Calthrop and dichotriaene of Dercitus (Stoeba)-like sponge, family Ancorinidae.
FIGURE 4. Spicules of sponges of the order Astrophorida; A–E—Sterraster microscleres of Geodia sp. 1, family Geodiidae; F–I—Sterraster microscleres of Geodia sp. 2, family Geodiidae; J–P—Different types of pynakids of the hypothetical... more
FIGURE 4. Spicules of sponges of the order Astrophorida; A–E—Sterraster microscleres of Geodia sp. 1, family Geodiidae; F–I—Sterraster microscleres of Geodia sp. 2, family Geodiidae; J–P—Different types of pynakids of the hypothetical species Dactylocalycites callodiscus, family?Geodiidae; Q–T—Spicules of the family Geodiidae; U–W—Triaenes of Penares cf. sclerobesa, family Geodiidae (subfamily Erylinae); X—Triaenes of Penares sp., family Geodiidae.
FIGURE 3. Acanthoxea of recent Agelas axifera (redrawn from Hentschel 1911).
FIGURE 2. Spicules of sponges of the order Agelasida; A—Verticillate style of the family Agelasidae; B–D—Verticillate oxeas of Agelas cf. axifera, family Agelasidae; E–G—Verticillate oxeas of Agelas cf. wiedemayeri, family Agelasidae; H,... more
FIGURE 2. Spicules of sponges of the order Agelasida; A—Verticillate style of the family Agelasidae; B–D—Verticillate oxeas of Agelas cf. axifera, family Agelasidae; E–G—Verticillate oxeas of Agelas cf. wiedemayeri, family Agelasidae; H, I—Oxea and style of Agelas sp., family Agelasidae.
FIGURE 10. Spicules of sponges of the order Hadromerida; A–C—Mucronate tylostyles of Cliona cf. mucronata, family Clionaidae; D–F—Tylostyles of the order Hadromerida; G, H—Tylostyles of Terpios sp., family Suberitidae; I, J, P,... more
FIGURE 10. Spicules of sponges of the order Hadromerida; A–C—Mucronate tylostyles of Cliona cf. mucronata, family Clionaidae; D–F—Tylostyles of the order Hadromerida; G, H—Tylostyles of Terpios sp., family Suberitidae; I, J, P, R—Anthasters of Diplastrella cf. megastellata, family Spirastrellidae; K–M—Spherostyles of Sphaerotylus sp. 1, family Polymastiidae; L–O—Spherostyles of Sphaerotylus sp. 2, family Polymastiidae; Q—Microsclere spiraster of family Spirastrellidae or Clionaidae; S–Y—Verticillate strongyles of Dotona pulchella Carter, 1880, family Clionaidae.
FIGURE 9. Undetermined astrophorid triaenes; A–D, L, M—Protriaenes of order the Astrophorida; E, F, J, K, N—Orthotriaenes of the order Astrophorida; G–I—Prodichotriaenes of the order Astrophorida.
FIGURE 8. Acanthoxeas of recent Alectona species; A—Alectona millari (from Rützler 2002); B—Alectona wallichii (from Vacelet 1999).
FIGURE 7. Spicules of sponges of the order Astrophorida; A–E—Anatriaenes of Dercitus (Stoeba)-like sponge, family Ancorinidae; F–I—Different types of triaenes of Stelletta sp., family Ancorinidae; J–N—Different types of acanthoxeas of... more
FIGURE 7. Spicules of sponges of the order Astrophorida; A–E—Anatriaenes of Dercitus (Stoeba)-like sponge, family Ancorinidae; F–I—Different types of triaenes of Stelletta sp., family Ancorinidae; J–N—Different types of acanthoxeas of Alectona millari, family Thoosidae; O—Sanidaster-ataxaster of Dercitus (Stoeba)-like sponge, family Ancorinidae.
FIGURE 1. The paleogeographical map of Australia in the Late Eocene with the sampling sites included. P.R.—Princess Royal, N.—Norseman, D.R.—Doyle Road, H.R.—Hamersley River, B.P.—Blanche Point, PLC—Proto-Leeuwin Current, ACC—Antarctic... more
FIGURE 1. The paleogeographical map of Australia in the Late Eocene with the sampling sites included. P.R.—Princess Royal, N.—Norseman, D.R.—Doyle Road, H.R.—Hamersley River, B.P.—Blanche Point, PLC—Proto-Leeuwin Current, ACC—Antarctic Counter Current, light gray arrows—warm currents, dark gray arrows—cold currents; after McGowran & Alley (2008), modified.
FIGURE 34. Spicules of sponges of Hexactinellida; A–D—Different types of dermal pinnular hexactines, family Rossellidae (order Lyssacinosida); E—Dermal pinnular hexactine (fragment), probably of family Rossellidae (order Lyssacinosida);... more
FIGURE 34. Spicules of sponges of Hexactinellida; A–D—Different types of dermal pinnular hexactines, family Rossellidae (order Lyssacinosida); E—Dermal pinnular hexactine (fragment), probably of family Rossellidae (order Lyssacinosida); F–I—Dermal pentactines of unknown hexactinellid sponges; J—Anchorate basalium of unknown hexactinellid sponge; K, L—Dermal or atrial hexactines of Hexactinosa; M—Fragment of dictyonal skeleton of Hexactinosa; N—Fragment of umbrella-shaped spicule of Rossella, family Rossellidae (order Lyssacinosida).
FIGURE 33. Lithistid Demospongiae spicules; A, B—Ectosomal phyllotiaenes of unknown lithistid sponge; C, D—Ectosomal dichotriaenes of unknown lithistid sponge; E–G—Ectosomal discotriaenes of Discodermia, family Theonellidae; H–J—Ectosomal... more
FIGURE 33. Lithistid Demospongiae spicules; A, B—Ectosomal phyllotiaenes of unknown lithistid sponge; C, D—Ectosomal dichotriaenes of unknown lithistid sponge; E–G—Ectosomal discotriaenes of Discodermia, family Theonellidae; H–J—Ectosomal phyllotriaenes of Theonella or Racodiscula, family Theonellidae; K—Fragment of dicranoclne desma, family Corallistidae; L, M—Different types of rhizoclones; N—Megaclone desma of Pleroma, family Pleromidae; O—Fragment of?dicranoclone desma, family Corallistidae; P–U—Different types of polytriaenes (ectosomal spicules) of lithistid sponges.
FIGURE 32. Monaxonic spicules; A–E—various types of oxea macroscleres; F–H—various types of style macroscleres.