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Gnathodus

Gnathodus is an extinct conodont genus in the family Idiognathodontidae.

Palaeobiology

Feeding

Dental microwear indicates that the occlusal cycle of Gnathodus bilineatus consisted of rotation of the P<sub>1</sub> elements in the transverse plane of the anterior–posterior axis, with separation of the P<sub>1</sub> elements occurring to enable the entry of food particles.

Use in stratigraphy

The Tournaisian, the oldest age of the Mississippian (also known as Lower Carboniferous), contains eight conodont biozones, 3 of which are defined by Gnathodus species:

  • the zone of Gnathodus pseudosemiglaber and Scaliognathus anchoralis
  • the zone of Gnathodus semiglaber and Polygnathus communis
  • the zone of Gnathodus typicus and Siphonodella isosticha

The Visean, the second age of the Mississippian, contains four conodont biozones, two of which are defined by Gnathodus species:

  • the Gnathodus bilineatus Zone
  • the Gnathodus texanus Zone

The Serpukhovian, the third or youngest age of the Mississippian, includes four conodont biozones, two of which are defined by Gnathodus species:

  • the Gnathodus postbilineatus Zone
  • the Gnathodus bollandensis Zone

References

  • Proposal of Gnathodus bilineatus (Roundy, 1926) as type species of the genus Gnathodus Pander, 1856 (Conodonts). HR Lane and W Ziegler, Senckenbergiana lethaea, 1984

External links