A well-preserved respiratory system in a Silurian ostracod. (30th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Siveter, David J.; Briggs, Derek E. G.; Siveter, Derek J.; Sutton, Mark D.
• Is Part Of: Biology letters. Volume 14:Number 11(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-11-30
• Subjects: Herefordshire Lagerstätte -- Ostracoda -- respiratory system -- Silurian; Biology -- Periodicals; 570.5
• DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0464
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-9561

Abstract

Abstract : Ostracod crustaceans are diverse and ubiquitous in aqueous environments today but relatively few known species have gills. Ostracods are the most abundant fossil arthropods but examples of soft-part preservation, especially of gills, are exceptionally rare. A new ostracod, Spiricopia aurita (Myodocopa), from the marine Silurian Herefordshire Lagerstätte (430 Mya), UK, preserves appendages, lateral eyes and gills. The respiratory system includes five pairs of gill lamellae with hypobranchial and epibranchial canals that conveyed haemolymph. A heart and associated vessels had likely evolved in ostracods by the Mid-Silurian.