Name: Rhombifera; Regulaecystis pleurocystoides
Geological Time: Lower Devonian Seigenian/Emsian Stage
Size (25.4mm=1 inch): 40 mm by 8 mm on a 95 by 90 mm matrix
Location: Hunsruck Slate, Bundenbach Germany
 Description:
Well-preserved example of a rarely-seen cystoid known as Regulaecystis
pleurocystoides. Cystoids are also termed Rhombifera, a reference
to the rhobohedral arrangement of pores on the calyx. The Hunsruck
slate is famous for its fossils, many of which have pyritization present.
Rapid burial and pyritization was what led to the many wonderful examples
of early Devonian life from the region. The mudstones were metamorphosed
into slate during the Carboniferous. The slate was quarried for roofing
tiles, and the quarrymen would save the fossils for later sale. Now
that the quarries are no longer open, future supplies of these wonderfully-preserved
benthic organisms will only come from existing collections. Notice
the fine details and the pyrite highlights, making this a spectacular
example of so rare a specimen. |
