Solenopora Temporal range:
| |
---|---|
Fossils of Solenopora species | |
Scientific classification | |
(unranked): | Archaeplastida |
Division: | Rhodophyta |
Class: | Florideophyceae |
Stem group: | Corallinales |
Family: | †
Solenoporaceae Pia, 1927 [2] |
Genus: | †
Solenopora Dybowski, 1877 |
Species [3] | |
|
The extinct Solenoporaceae have traditionally been interpreted as a group of red algae ancestral to the Corallinales. [4]
The genus from which they take their name, Solenopora, originates in the Ordovician. [5] Unlike the Corallinaceae, this family has large vegetative cells and an undifferentiated thallus. [5] Additionally there are external, non-calcified sporangia. [6]
The differences in structure suggest that the holotype is not an alga at all, but rather is a chaetetid sponge. Post-Palaeozoic specimens therefore require re-classification. [7] However, some algal taxa are still classified within the genus. [8]
Some specimens of algal Solenopora retain an original pink colouration, which is banded with growth stages of the fossil; this is produced by boron-containing hydrocarbons. [8]
The solenoporaceae mineralized with calcite. [9]
Although the following other genera have been included in this family, their status is uncertain due to the loose definition of the family. [3] [7]
Solenoporaceae.
Solenopora Temporal range:
| |
---|---|
Fossils of Solenopora species | |
Scientific classification | |
(unranked): | Archaeplastida |
Division: | Rhodophyta |
Class: | Florideophyceae |
Stem group: | Corallinales |
Family: | †
Solenoporaceae Pia, 1927 [2] |
Genus: | †
Solenopora Dybowski, 1877 |
Species [3] | |
|
The extinct Solenoporaceae have traditionally been interpreted as a group of red algae ancestral to the Corallinales. [4]
The genus from which they take their name, Solenopora, originates in the Ordovician. [5] Unlike the Corallinaceae, this family has large vegetative cells and an undifferentiated thallus. [5] Additionally there are external, non-calcified sporangia. [6]
The differences in structure suggest that the holotype is not an alga at all, but rather is a chaetetid sponge. Post-Palaeozoic specimens therefore require re-classification. [7] However, some algal taxa are still classified within the genus. [8]
Some specimens of algal Solenopora retain an original pink colouration, which is banded with growth stages of the fossil; this is produced by boron-containing hydrocarbons. [8]
The solenoporaceae mineralized with calcite. [9]
Although the following other genera have been included in this family, their status is uncertain due to the loose definition of the family. [3] [7]
Solenoporaceae.