Dictyonema (graptolites)

Dictyonema
Temporal range: Upper Cambrian - Devonian
Dictyonema retiforme from Early Silurian of Canada (425 myo)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Hemichordata
Class: Graptolithina
Order: Dendroidea
Family: † Dendrograptidae
Genus: Dictyonema
Hall, 1851
Synonyms[1]
  • Dictyodendron Westergård 1909
  • Dictyograptus Hopkinson 1875
  • Airograptus Ruedemann 1916
  • Damesograptus Jahn 1892
  • Nephelograptus Ruedemann 1947

Dictyonema is a genus of dendroid graptolites in the order Dendroidea. [1]

Fossil record

Fossils of Dictyonema are found from the Upper Cambrian to the Devonian (age range: from 488.3 to 383.7 million years ago.). They are known from various localities in Europe, North America, South America, China and Morocco. [1][2]

Description

These colonial organism are characterised by a conical, net-like structure. The colonies (known as rhabdosomes) are branched and may vary from almost discoidal to almos cylindrical. They were stationary planktonic suspension feeders. [1][2]

Species

Bibliography

References

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