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The graptolite nema: problem to all our solutions

1996; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 133; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/s0016756800009079

1469-5081

R. B. Rickards,

Marine and coastal ecosystems

Abstract Lack of understanding of the graptolite nema and virgula is probably the main cause of the general failure to arrive at a general mode of life theory for planktonic species. The nema and virgula are shown to be different structures. The nema may have had a rhabdosome rotational function at early growth stages; the primary function of the virgula may have been rhabdosomal rotation, whilst a secondary function was as a stipe growth guide. Rotational function would be inapplicable for pseudovirgulae and in synrhabdosomes.