Remarks on the evolution Of Ordovician conodonts

Introduction Principles of taxonomy of conodonts The course of the phylogeny Organization of the of branching conodonts Affinities of Conodontophorida The outline of evolution of Conodontophorida Regularities in eyolution of Diagnoses of ne\v taxa List of synonymes References Frequency of conodonts in samples 395 :\95 396 398 413 416 417 420 421 42:) 447 454 Abstract. The phylogeny of Ordovician Conodontophorida from the Baltic region is reconstructed and homologization of elements of the natural assemblages is presented. A reconstruction of the apparatus of Spathognathodontidae indicates that it was a bilateral medial organ composed of 14 conodonts with dentides turned inwards. Attempts are made to homologize the tissue of conodonts Panderodontidac with enamel of dermal dentides of lower Ve,tebrata and the basal filling tissue with dentine. A common phenomenon in conodont evolution is the occurrence of morphological gradient within the apparatus. The evolutionary changes are introduced polarly, and successively spread from the most rapidly evolving element on the adjoining ones. Fifty six species and subspecies of Ordovician conodonts are illustrated and their synonymes given. Two new suborders, three genera, seven species and three temporal subspecies are proposed. The phylogeny of Ordovician Conodontophorida from the Baltic region is reconstructed and homologization of elements of the natural assemblages is presented. A reconstruction of the apparatus of Spathognathodontidae indicates that it was a bilateral medial organ composed of 14 conodonts with dentides turned inwards. Attempts are made to homologize the tissue of conodonts Panderodontidac with enamel of dermal dentides of lower Ve,tebrata and the basal filling tissue with dentine. A common phenomenon in conodont evolution is the occurrence of morphological gradient within the apparatus. The evolutionary changes are introduced polarly, and successively spread from the most rapidly evolving element on the adjoining ones. Fifty six species and subspecies of Ordovician conodonts are illustrated and their synonymes given. Two new suborders, three genera, seven species and three temporal subspecies are proposed.