Taphonomic Processes in the Waldron Shale, Silurian, Southern Indiana

Feldman, Howard R.

doi:10.2307/3514602

Cited by 14 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The processes of early diagenetic pyrite formation as a result of the activity of anaerobic bacteria in shallow marine muds have been widely studied (Berner, 1970(Berner, , 1984Raiswell and Berner, 1985;Reaves, 1986;Feldman, 1989;Canfield and Raiswell, 1991). The environmental factors that maximize pyrite formation are poorly-oxygenated bottom waters, low average sedimentation rates with rapid and episodic burial events, warm climate, autochthonous benthic fauna and the absence of large seasonal variations in sediment temperature.…”

Section: Sedimentary Infillings and Cementationmentioning

confidence: 98%

Taphonomic Processes in Selected Lower and Middle Jurassic Foraminifera From the Iberian Range and Basque-Cantabrian Basin (Spain)

Herrero¹,

Canales²

2002

The Journal of Foraminiferal Research

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Lower and Middle Jurassic foraminifera from the Iberian and Basque-Cantabrian Basins exhibit distinct features due to different biostratinomic and diagenetic processes. The main mechanisms of taphonomic alteration identified in our material are bioerosion, abrasion, fragmentation, dissolution, sedimentary infilling, cementation, mineralization, recrystallization sensu lato, pressure-dissolution processes, distortion and removal. Sample preparation prevents the detection of mechanism such as reorientation, regrouping or geopetal infillings. Bioerosion is represented by rare and isolated holes. Pitted surfaces associated with wall pores are the most important corrasion features. Abrasion signs such as polished longitudinal and sutural ribs have been recognized. Fragmentation is common and it is controlled by the shape of the test rather than by the shell size or thickness. Different types and patterns of dissolution have been detected. Micritic infillings have been observed in most of the specimens; nevertheless, sparitic and pyrite cementations are also abundant. Neomorphism includes features such as inversions and recrystallization; pyrite and possibly silica replacements have been recognized. A great number of the specimens show calcitic crusts that obscure wall surfaces and may prevent identification. Mineralization is represented by sylvite crystals on the surface of some uppermost Toarcian and Aalenian foraminiferal shells. Fossil diagenetic distortion is frequent and affects the specimens independently of their morphology. Signals of reworking (''resedimentation'') are common in the specimens. Two direct criteria for the recognition of reworking (''reelaboration'') are shown for the first time on the foraminiferal shells. More research must be done to discern the history of the foraminiferal assemblages in order to achieve accurate biostratigraphical, paleoecological and paleobiogeographical interpretations.

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Section: Sedimentary Infillings and Cementationmentioning

confidence: 98%

Taphonomic Processes in Selected Lower and Middle Jurassic Foraminifera From the Iberian Range and Basque-Cantabrian Basin (Spain)

Herrero¹,

Canales²

2002

The Journal of Foraminiferal Research

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“…The taphonomy of the Waldron Shale was examined by Feldman (). He suggested that the complete specimen described by Hall () came from his Facies B that he characterized as being tempestites deposited below storm wave base.…”

Section: Palaeontology Of Eucalyptocrinitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Feldman proposed that the preservation of the specimen resulted from rapid storm‐related burial. This work was followed by a detailed palaeoecological analysis of the Waldron Shale by Peters & Bork (), who adopted the facies classification of Feldman (). They noted that in Facies B, fossil concentrations were higher near Eucalyptocrinites holdfasts.…”

Section: Palaeontology Of Eucalyptocrinitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A radicle solution: morphology and biomechanics of the Eucalyptocrinites ‘root’ system

Plotnick

Ebey

Zinga

2016

LET

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Eucalyptocrinites is one the most common and familiar mid‐Palaeozoic crinoids and is the exemplar of a form with dendritic radicular holdfasts. American museums have hundreds of specimens of Eucalyptocrinites holdfasts from the Silurian Waldron Shale of Indiana and Kentucky, USA. The radix (‘root’) system of Eucalyptocrinites can be described as comprised of links (branches) that meet at nodes. Measured values include the x‐ and y‐coordinates of the nodes, the distances of the nodes from the stem, the angles between branches, branch length and branch width. Rose diagrams show clearly that the root systems are not isotropic but have preferred orientations. Branch angles are highly variable, but cluster around 60 degrees. Branch lengths and distal branch widths are relatively constant, but branch width increases variably towards the column. The branching pattern can be modelled as a self‐similar (‘fractal’) structure. Several specimens labelled as Eucalyptocrinites show a distinct fivefold symmetry without branching and very likely represent a different taxon. The Eucalyptocrinites radix system, along with the probably stiff dististele, most likely functioned as a rigid plate that resisted rotational forces due to currents acting on the crown. Upstream radicles experienced tension, whereas downstream roots were compressed. This force distribution may explain the observed anisotropies in radix morphology. The ‘roots’ of Eucalyptocrinites and other crinoids have long been compared with the root systems of plants. Although there are superficial similarities, there are fundamental differences.

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“…), leading to burial of the hardground and, eventually, micro‐bioherms. The obrution events that entombed spathacalymenids would not have resulted in preferential concentration of specific trilobite taxa near build‐ups, but rather would preserve elements of primary spatial relationships (Brett & Baird ; Feldman ; Brett et al . ).…”

Section: Palaeontological Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A few undolomitized micro-bioherm-bearing sections have been documented in the Middle Silurian of southeastern Indiana, but previous research has focused entirely on build-ups within the Homerian (upper Wenlock) Waldron Shale and at the contact between the Waldron and underlying Laurel Limestone (Foerste 1898;Kindle & Barnett 1909;Halleck 1973;Ausich 1975;Archer & Feldman 1986;Feldman 1989). Micro-bioherms have recently been recognized in the Sheinwoodian (lower Wenlock) Massie Formation in this region (McLaughlin et al 2008;Brett et al 2012a;Thomka & Brett 2014a,b), but have not previously been studied with regard to their influences on the palaeontology and sedimentology of the unit containing them.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Palaeontological and sedimentological effects of micro-bioherms in the Middle Silurian Massie Formation of southeastern Indiana, USA

Thomka

Brett

2015

LET

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Small build‐ups composed primarily of micrite and benthic skeletal remains, termed ‘micro‐bioherms’, have been recognized within Silurian strata of eastern and midcontinental United States for well over 75 years; however, previous research has focused nearly entirely on such structures within the upper Wenlock (Homerian) Waldron Shale. An undolomitized section of the lower Wenlock (Sheinwoodian) Massie Formation in Ripley County, southeastern Indiana, was studied to assess the influence of micro‐bioherms on palaeoecological, taphonomical and sedimentological patterns. Increased baffling of fine‐grained material by organisms composing and/or encrusting build‐ups is evidenced by muddy sediment containing pascichnial traces surrounding micro‐bioherms. Pelmatozoan attachment structures densely encrust micro‐bioherms, but are swollen by secondary stereomic overgrowths reflecting some form of antagonistic interaction or investment in strong affixation to elevated substrates. Clusters of bumastine trilobite material occur in ‘pockets’ related to cavities within build‐ups, and otherwise rare spathacalymenid trilobites, often exceptionally preserved, are found in muds in the vicinity of partially buried micro‐bioherms. Coeval sections nearby are nearly unfossiliferous as result of dolomitization, but contain recognizable skeletal material in greatest abundance in micro‐bioherm flank beds. The occurrence of these bodies within the Massie Formation is genetically linked to a major transgressive episode, but also reflects a mid‐Silurian climatic/palaeoceanographic change.

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Taphonomic Processes in the Waldron Shale, Silurian, Southern Indiana

Cited by 14 publications

References 25 publications

Taphonomic Processes in Selected Lower and Middle Jurassic Foraminifera From the Iberian Range and Basque-Cantabrian Basin (Spain)

Taphonomic Processes in Selected Lower and Middle Jurassic Foraminifera From the Iberian Range and Basque-Cantabrian Basin (Spain)

A radicle solution: morphology and biomechanics of the Eucalyptocrinites ‘root’ system

Palaeontological and sedimentological effects of micro-bioherms in the Middle Silurian Massie Formation of southeastern Indiana, USA

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