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Article: Chitinozoan biostratigraphy of the Rheidol Gorge Section, Central Wales, UK: a GSSP replacement candidate for the Rhuddanian–Aeronian boundary

Papers in Palaeontology - Volume 6 Issue 2 - Cover
Publication: Papers in Palaeontology
Volume: 6
Part: 2
Publication Date: May 2020
Page(s): 173 192
Author(s): Julie De Weirdt, Thijs R. A. Vandenbroucke, Justine Cocq, Catherine Russell, Jeremy R. Davies, Michael Melchin, and Jan Zalasiewicz
DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1260
Addition Information

How to Cite

WEIRDT, J.D., VANDENBROUCKE, T.R.A., COCQ, J., RUSSELL, C., DAVIES, J.R., MELCHIN, M., ZALASIEWICZ, J. 2020. . Papers in Palaeontology, 6, 2, 173-192. DOI: /doi/10.1002/spp2.1260

Author Information

  • Julie De Weirdt - Department of Geology Ghent University Krijgslaan 281/S8 Belgium
  • Thijs R. A. Vandenbroucke - Department of Geology Ghent University Krijgslaan 281/S8 Belgium
  • Thijs R. A. Vandenbroucke - UMR 8198 du CNRS: Evo‐Eco‐Paleo Université de Lille Avenue Paul Langevin SN5 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq France
  • Justine Cocq - UMR 8198 du CNRS: Evo‐Eco‐Paleo Université de Lille Avenue Paul Langevin SN5 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq France
  • Catherine Russell - School of Geography, Geology & the Environment University of Leicester University Road Leicester LE1 7RH UK
  • Jeremy R. Davies - Department of Geography & Earth Sciences University of Aberystwyth Aberystwyth SY23 3DB UK
  • Michael Melchin - Department of Earth Sciences St Francis Xavier University Antigonish NS Canada
  • Jan Zalasiewicz - School of Geography, Geology & the Environment University of Leicester University Road Leicester LE1 7RH UK

Publication History

  • Issue published online: 25 April 2020
  • Manuscript Accepted: 06 February 2019
  • Manuscript Received: 14 September 2018

Funded By

Palaeontological Association
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
International Subcommission on Silurian Stratigraphy

Online Version Hosted By

Wiley Online Library
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Abstract

As part of an international effort to evaluate potential replacement sections for the current Aeronian GSSP, the stratigraphy of the Rheidol Gorge section (central Wales, UK) is being restudied. A total of 28 samples from the Rhuddanian–Aeronian boundary interval at Rheidol Gorge were studied for chitinozoans. This famous Welsh Basin section, its stratigraphy rooted in the work of O.T. Jones and M. Sudbury, comprises a series of laminated black shales with abundant graptolites, alternating with grey mudstone intervals, deposited in anoxic to dysoxic/oxic seafloor conditions, respectively. The exposed section of c. 20 m spans the middle part of the upper Rhuddanian Pernerograptus revolutus Biozone through the lower Aeronian Neodiplograptus magnus Biozone of the lower to mid‐Llandovery Series (Cwmere and Derwenlas formations). Our chitinozoan analysis yielded an assemblage of over 2300 specimens distributed approximately uniformly throughout the entire succession. A total of 16 different taxa are identified, of which 12 remain in open nomenclature, reflecting the poor to moderately intact preservation of the specimens. Based on the presence of key species such as Spinachitina maennili and Conochitina iklaensis, the Rheidol Gorge section is referred to the Spinachitina maennili Biozone. This observation is in perfect alignment with the typical signature of other Rhuddanian–Aeronian boundary successions in the Welsh Basin and in other parts of the world.

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