Nematoplexus
| Nematoplexus | ||||||||||
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| Lower Devonian | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Nematoplexus | ||||||||||
Nematoplexus rhyniensis is an enigmatic fossil from the Rhynie Chert of Lower Devonian . It consists of silicified , thalloid incompletely and fragmentarily preserved, partially degraded remains. The morphology and size of the organism are unknown. The organism consists of a network of interwoven, non-chambered and chambered tubes of two or three different sizes. Most of the larger, non-chambered tubes have annular or helical thickenings. Some of the narrow, smooth-walled tubes have conspicuous partitions with a centrally located elliptical opening. These pores are similar to those found in Prototaxites . The tubes of nematoplexus are not branched. Branches only occur in so-called branch nodes. Several tubes come together there and form dense, highly branched groups. Their biological significance is unclear.
One interpretation sees Nematoplexus rhyniensis as a structurally preserved fossil of Nematothallus .
supporting documents
- Thomas N. Taylor, Edith L. Taylor, Michael Krings: Paleobotany. The Biology and Evolution of Fossil Plants . Second Edition, Academic Press 2009, ISBN 978-0-12-373972-8 . P. 183.