Redescription of Americlus rankini (Woodward, 1868) (Pancrustacea: Cyclida: Americlidae) and interpretation of its systematic placement, morphology, and paleoecology

Clark, N. D.L. , Feldmann, R. M., Schram, F. R. and Schweitzer, C. E. (2020) Redescription of Americlus rankini (Woodward, 1868) (Pancrustacea: Cyclida: Americlidae) and interpretation of its systematic placement, morphology, and paleoecology. Journal of Crustacean Biology, 40(2), pp. 181-193. (doi: 10.1093/jcbiol/ruaa001)

Abstract

The best-preserved Scottish species of a cyclidan is reinterpreted, based upon recent advances in cyclidan paleobiology. Americlus rankini (Woodward, 1868) is one of the best-preserved members of this crustacean group, and its morphology suggests that it and related forms exhibited a unique and distinct morphology within Multicrustacea. Paleoecological evidence suggests that the animal was most likely free living, possibly as a scavenger, in a marginal marine environment. Americlus lived in Laurentia during the Middle Mississippian (Visean) to Middle Pennsylvanian (Moscovian).

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Clark, Dr Neil
• Authors: Clark, N. D.L., Feldmann, R. M., Schram, F. R., and Schweitzer, C. E.
• College/School: University Services > Library and Collection Services > Museum and Art Gallery
• Journal Name: Journal of Crustacean Biology
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0278-0372
• ISSN (Online): 1937-240X
• Published Online: 03 February 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Crustacean Biology 40(2): 181-193
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy