Article: Machaeridians from the Upper Wenlock (Silurian) of Gotland

Machaeridians, enigmatic animals widespread in Palaeozoic strata, have been known for approximately 130 years but nevertheless remain a little studied and problematical group. Two species of machaeridians (Lepidocoleus sp. A and Turrilepas sp. A) from the Upper Wenlock of Gotland are described. They occur commonly at Mollbos, with a preservation that allows tentative reconstruction of their morphology and interpretation of the function of the scleritome. The material corroborates the existence of outer sclerites in the Lepidocoleidae and exhibits variability of outer and inner sclerite shape along the body in the Turrilepadidae.