Palaeoaplysina Temporal range:
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
(unranked): | Archaeplastida |
Division: | Rhodophyta |
Class: | Florideophyceae |
Stem group: | Corallinales |
Order: | †Archaeolithophyllales (?) |
Family: | †Palaeoaplysinaceae |
Genus: | †Palaeoaplysina |
Palaeoaplysina is a genus of tabular, calcified fossils that are a component of many Late Palaeozoic reefs.[1] The fossil acted as a baffle to trap sediment. Historically interpreted as a sponge or hydrozoan,[2] recent studies are converging to its classification in the coralline stem group, placing it among the red algae.[1]
The thalloid organism had a series of internal canals opening on one side of the body (presumably the upper side), and volcano-like protuberances on that same side inviting comparison to filter-feeding organisms. On the other hand, it seems to have had a calcified cellular make up akin to that of the coralline reds, suggesting that it was either a stem-group coralline or a coralline-encrusted filter feeder.[3]
The organism is widespread in the tropical and near-tropical margin of the Laurentian continent (45–15°N), but is not found elsewhere.[4] Its oldest reported occurrence is Middle Pennsylvanian (mid- to late Moscovian)[5] and youngest is the late Sakmarian.[3] It acts as an important reservoir rock for oil deposits.[3]