Original paper

Taxonomy, morphology and phylogeny of plesioteuthidid coleoids from the Upper Jurassic (Tithonian) Plattenkalks of Solnhofen

Fuchs, Dirk; Klinghammer, Andreas; Keupp, Helmut

Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Abhandlungen Band 245 Heft 2 (2007), p. 239 - 252

published: Sep 5, 2007

DOI: 10.1127/0077-7749/2007/0245-0239

BibTeX file

ArtNo. ESP155024502009, Price: 29.00 €

Download preview PDF Buy as PDF

Abstract

Plesioteuthis prisca (RüPPELL, 1829) and "Senefelderiteuthis kraussi ENGESER & KEUPP, 1999" were previously the only two species of plesioteuthidid coleoids known from the Solnhofen Plattenkalks. Based on morphological comparisons of 154 specimens from the Solnhofen area, a third taxon must be considered as valid: Plesioteuthis subovata (MÜNSTER, 1846). Additionally, it turned out that "Senefelderiteuthis kraussi" is identical with Dorateuthis tricarinata (MÜNSTER, 1846). The stratigraphical range of the genus Dorateuthis can now be extended from the Late Cretaceous to the Late Jurassic. Despite a remarkable similarity between prototeuthid and teuthid gladii, Prototeuthidids are attributed to the Vampyropoda. Unambiguous characters of teuthid Decabrachia such as a ventrolateral pair of elongated tentacles are unknown from the fossil record. Instead, characters such as interbrachial web, radial suckers and cirri rather indicate a closer relationship with the Vampyropoda.

Keywords

fossil coleoidea • vampyropoda • plesioteuthis • dorateuthis • taxonomy • gladius morphology • lower tithonian • solnhofen