Tealliocaris: a decapod crustacean from the Carboniferous of Scotland

Clark, N.D.L. (2013) Tealliocaris: a decapod crustacean from the Carboniferous of Scotland. Palaeodiversity, 6, pp. 107-133.

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Abstract

Three species of Tealliocaris (T. etheridgii, T. robusta, and T. woodwardi) are recognised from the Carboniferous of Scotland using a variety of morphological criteria. Newly observed structures of Tealliocaris woodwardi (Etheridge, 1877), help to resolve the taxonomy of Scottish Carboniferous eumalacostracan crustaceans referred to the genus Pseudotealliocaris Brooks, 1962. Paired post-orbital spines, oval pores on the pleon, an enlarged tergite of the third pleomere and laterally expanding pleurae of the second pleomere, three ridges on the anterior portion of the first pleomere, as well as the morphology of the carapace including the various grooves of the carapace, pleon and tail fan are common to these three species of Tealliocaris. The holotype of Pseudotealliocaris caudafimbriata, which is also the type for the genus Pseudotealliocaris, is considered here to be a species of Tealliocaris thus making it necessary to re-examine in detail other species assigned to the genus Pseudotealliocaris in future studies. Pseudotealliocaris is therefore not considered to be a recognised genus for the Scottish material. The diagnostic structures used to identify Tealliocaris are also common to those species ascribed to Pseudotealliocaris. Pseudotealliocaris etheridgei is redescribed in terms of its former taxa as both T. robusta and T. etheridgii. The different species previously referred to Pseudotealliocaris, and T. woodwardi, are differentiated on the basis of minor differences including the number of anterolateral spines on the antennal scale and carapace, the rugosity of the carinae on the carapace and the presence or absence of transverse grooves on the pleonal tergites. In addition, the expanded second pleonal pleurae and the enlarged third pleonal tergite, the achelate thoracopods, flagelliform pereiopodal exopods, pediform third maxilliped and the presence of phyllobranchiate gills all indicate a closer relationship to decapod crustaceans, in particular Astacida, Homarida and Glypheoidea, than to any other crustacean group.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Tealliocaris, Pseudotealliocaris, Carboniferous, crustacean, shrimp, Scotland, Namurian, Tournaisian, decapod, Decapoda
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Clark, Dr Neil
Authors: Clark, N.D.L.
Subjects:Q Science > Q Science (General)
Q Science > QE Geology
Q Science > QH Natural history
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Q Science > QL Zoology
College/School:University Services > Library and Collection Services > Museum and Art Gallery
Journal Name:Palaeodiversity
Publisher:State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart
ISSN:1867-6294

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