Middle and Upper Devonian Cryptodonta (Bivalvia) from the pelagic hercynian facies [Elektronische Ressource] : taxonomy, stratigraphy, and paleoecology / vorgelegt von Judith Nagel

GeologieMiddle and Upper Devonian Cryptodonta (Bivalvia) from the Pelagic Hercynian Facies - Taxonomy, Stratigraphy, and Paleoecology Inaugural-Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades der Naturwissenschaften im Fachbereich Geowissenschaften der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität Münster vorgelegt vonJudith Nagel aus Rheine -2006-Dekanin/Dekan: Prof. Dr. H. Kerp Erster Gutachter: Prof. Dr. R.T. Becker Zweiter Gutachter: Prof. Dr. M. Amler I Abstract The Middle and Upper Devonian pelagic facies is rich in peculiar bivalves. Despite their great quantity in several different horizons, neither their life habits nor their correct stratigraphic rang have been well understood. Additionally, no systematic concept was available for classi-fication, and their geographical distribution was also unknown. Our knowledge mostly dated back to Münster (1840), Barrande (1881), and Clarke (1904) who erected most of the taxa from the Bohemian and the Laurussian region. But apart from the introduction of names, no details of the internal morphology or species concepts have been presented until now. This study presents a basic systematic revision of Givetian and Upper Devonian pelagic bi-valve taxa. It is based on museum collections, including all available type specimens and originals, and on new material from Germany, France, Morocco, and North America. Other records are from Russia, Poland, and Australia.