R. L Langanhelm, *•
Dept. GaoL Umv> ^^^
UiPeno, UU —
STATE OP ILLINOIS
WILLIAM G. STRATTON, Governor
DEPARTMENT OP REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION
VERA M. BINKS, Director
DIVISION OP THE
STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
JOHN C. PRYE. Chief
URBANA
REPORT OF INVESTIGATIONS 186
NORTH AMERICAN PALEOZOIC CHITINOZOA
CHARLES COLLINSON and HOWARD SCHWALB
PRINTED BY AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
URBANA, ILLINOIS
1955
STATE OF ILLINOIS
WILLIAM G. STRATTON. Governor
DEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION
VERA M. BINKS, Director
DIVISION OF THE
STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
JOHN C. FRYE. Chief
URBANA
REPORT OF INVESTIGATIONS 186
NORTH AMERICAN PALEOZOIC CHITINOZOA
CHARLES COLLINSON and HOWARD SCHWALB
PRINTED BY AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
URBANA, ILLINOIS
1955
ORGANIZATION
STATE OF ILLINOIS
HON. WILLIAM G. STRATTON. Governor
DEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION
HON. VERA M. SINKS, Director
BOARD OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION
HON. VERA M. BINKS, Chairman
W. H. NEWHOUSE, Ph.D.. Geology
ROGER ADAMS. Ph.D., D.Sc, Chemistry
ROBERT H. ANDERSON, B.S., Engineering
A. E. EMERSON, Ph.D., Biology
LEWIS H. TIFFANY, Ph.D.. Pd.D.. Forestry
W. L. EVERITT. E.E., Ph.D.
Representing the President of the University of Illinois
DELYTE W. MORRIS. Ph.D.
President of Southern Illinois University
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DIVISION
JOHN C. FRYE, Ph.D., D.Sc, Chief
(24458— 2M— 10-55)
STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DIVISION
Natural Resources Building, Urbana
JOHN C. FRYE. Ph.D., D.Sc. Chief
M. M. LEIGHTON. Ph.D., D.Sc, Chief, Emeritus
Enid Townley, M.S., Geologist and Assistant to the Chief
Velda a. Millard, Junior Assis'ant to the Chief
Helen E. McMorris, Secretary to the Chief
RESEARCH
(not including part-time personnel)
GEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Arthur Bevan, Ph.D., D.Sc, Principal Geologist
Frances H. Alsterlund, A.B., Research Assistant
Coal
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Charles E. Marshall, Ph.D., Visiting Research Scien-
tist
Robert M. Kosanke, Ph.D., Geologist
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Paul Edwin Potter, Ph.D., Associate Geologist
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Oil and Gas
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George E. Ekblaw, Ph.D., Geologist and Head
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H. B. Willman, Ph.D., Geologist and Head
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Donald B. Saxby, M.S., Assistant Geologist
T. C. Buschbach, M.S., Assistant Geologist
Howard R. Schwalb, B.S., Research Assistant
Frank B. Titus, Jr., B.S., Research Assistant
Charles C. Engel, Technical Assistant
Joseph F. Howard, Assistant
Physics
R. J. PiERsoL, Ph.D.
GEOCHEMISTRY
Frank H. Reed, Ph.D., Chief Chemist
Grace C. Johnson, B.S.. Research Assistant
Coal Chemistry
G. R. Yohe, Ph.D., Chemist and Head
Earle C. Smith, B.S., Research Assistant
GuEY H. Lee, M.S., Research Assistant
Physical Chemistry
J. S. Machin, Ph.D., Chemist and Head
Juanita Witters, M.S., Assistant Physicist
Tin Boo Yee, Ph.D., Assistant Chemist
Daniel L. Deadmore, B.S., Research Assistant
Fluorine Chemistry
G. C. Finger, Ph.D., Chemist and Head
Robert EQesterling, B.A., Assistant Chemist
Carl W. Kruse, M.S., Special Research Assistant
Raymond H. White, B.S.. Special Research Assistant
Richard H. Shiley. B.S.. Special Research Assistant
Chemical Engineering
Physicist, Emeriti
Topographic Mapping in Cooperation with the United
States Geological Survey.
May 16, 1955
H. W. Jackman, M.S.E., Chemical Engineer and Head
R. J. Helfinstine, M.S., Mechanical Engineer and
Supervisor of Physical Plant
B. J. Greenwood, B.S., Mechanical Engineer
James C. McCullough, Research Associate (on leave)
Robert L. Eissler, B.S., Assistant Chemical Engineer
Walter E. Cooper, Technical Assistant
Edward A. Schaede, Technical Assistant
Cornel Marta, Technical Assistant
X-Ray
W. F. Bradley, Ph.D., Chemist and Head
Analytical Chemistry
O. W. Rees, Ph.D., Chemist and Head
L. D. McVicker, B.S., Chemist
Emile D. Pierron, M.S., Associate Chemist
Donald R. Dickerson, B.S., Assistant Chemist
Francis A. Coolican, B.S., Assistant Chemist
Charles T. Allbright, B.S., Research Assistant
(on leave)
William J. Armon, B.S., Research Assistant
Joseph M. Harris, B.A., Research Assistant
JoAnne E. Kunde, B.A., Research Assistant
Joan M. Cederstrand, Research Assistant
Harold E. Winters, Technical Assistant
George R. James, Technical Assistant
Frances L. Scheidt, Technical Assistant
MINERAL ECONOMICS
W. H. VosKuiL, Ph.D., Mineral Economist
W. L. Busch, A.B., Assistant Mineral Economist
Ethel M. King, Research Assistant
EDUCATIONAL EXTENSION
George M. Wilson, M.S., Geologist and Head
Dorothy E. Rose, B.S., Assistant Geologist
RESEARCH AFFILIATES IN GEOLOGY
J Harlen Bretz, Ph.D., University of Chicago
John A. Brophy, M.S., Research Assistant, State Geologi-
cal Survey
Stanley E. Harris, Jr., Ph.D., Southern Ulinois Uni-
versity
C. Leland Horberg, Ph.D., University of Chicago
M. M. Leighton, Ph.D., D.Sc, Research Professional
Scientist, State Geological Survey
Heinz A. Lowenstam, Ph.D., California Institute of
Technology
William E. Powers, Ph.D., Northwestern University
Paul R. Shaffer, Ph.D., University of Illinois
Harold R. Wanless, Ph.D., University of Illinois
J. Marvin Weller, Ph.D., University of Chicago
CONSULTANTS
Geology, George W. White, Ph.D., University of Illinois
Ralph E. Grim, Ph.D., University of Illinois
L. E. Workman, M.S., Former Head, Subsurface
Division
Ceramics, Ralph K. Hursh, B.S., University of Illinois
Mechanical Engineering, Seichi Konzo, M.S., University of
Illinois
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
(not including part-time personnel)
LIBRARY
Anne E. Kovanda, B.S., B.L.S., Librarian
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MINERAL RESOURCE RECORDS
Vivian Gordon, Head
Margaret B. Brophy, B.A., Research Assistant
Sue J. Cunningham, Technical Assistant
Betty Clark, B.S., Technical Assistant
Jeanine Climer, Technical Assistant
Kathryn Brown, Technical Assistant
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Genevieve Van Heyningen, Technical Assistant
PUBLICATIONS
Barbara Zeiders, B.S., Assistant Technical Editor
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Marlene Ponshock, Assistant Geologic Draftsman
TECHNICAL RECORDS
Berenice Reed, Supervisory Technical Assistant
Marilyn DeLand, B.S., Technical Assistant
Mary Louise Locklin, B.A., Technical Assistant
GENERAL SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION
Ann P. Ostrom, B.A., Technical Assistant
Jill B. Cahill, Technical Assistant
May 16. 1955
OTHER TECHNICAL SERVICES
Wm. Dale Farris, Research Associate
Beulah M. Unfer, Technical Assistant
A. W. Gotstein, Research Associate
Glenn G. Poor, Research Associate*
Gilbert L, Tinberg, Technical Assistant
Wayne W. Nofftz, Supervisory Technical Assistant
DoNOVON M. Watkins, Technical Assistant
FINANCIAL RECORDS
Velda a. Millard, In Charge
Leona K. Erickson, Clerk-Typist III
Virginia C. Sanderson, B.S., Clerk-Typist II
Irma E. Samson, Clerk-Typist I
CLERICAL SERVICES
Mary Cecil, Clerk-Stenographer III
Mary M. Sullivan, Clerk-Stenographer III
Lyla Nofftz, Clerk-Stenographer II
Lillian Weakley, Clerk-Stenographer II
Sharon Ellis, Clerk-Stenographer I
Barbara Barham, Clerk-Stenographer I
Mary Alice Jacobs, Clerk-Stenographer I
Irene Benson, Clerk-Typist I
Mary J. de Haan, Messenger-Clerk I
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE
Glenn G. Poor, In Charge*
Robert O. Ellis, Automotive Mechanic
EvERETTE Edwards, Automotive Mechanic
David B. Cooley, Automotive Mechanic s Helper
*Divided time
CONTENTS
Page
Introduction 7
Stratigraphic and geographic occurrence 8
Chitinozoans in Superior-Ford C-17 core 8
The systematic position of the Chitinozoa 14
The composition of the chitinozoan test 14
Paleobiology 16
Paleoecology 17
Systematic paleontology 17
References 33
ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure Page
1. Generalized section for southern Illinois 8
2. Map showing locations of wells and outcrops 9
3. Graphic section of a portion of the Superior-Ford C-17 core 10
4. Diagram illustrating nomenclature 15
5. Representatives of Chitinozoa genera 18
6. Holotype of Lagenochitina sacculus 20
7. Diagrammatic representation of y^«^o<:/7///«<3 *^//"/^r<:<^/^ 21
8. Diagrammatic cross section of y^w^oc/^Z/zw^yf^jf^ 22
9. Diagrammatic representation of ^w^«//^<:/!Z//«<2 /<2^«w<rz^/<? 28
10. Holotype of Rhabdochitina ? minnesotensis 30
11. Desmochitina poculum 32
12. Longitudinal section of Desmochitina sp 32
Plates
1 and 2. Paleozoic Chitinozoa 25, 26
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
http://archive.org/details/northamericanpal186coll
NORTH AMERICAN PALEOZOIC CHITINOZOA
CHARLES COLLINSON and HOWARD SCHWALB
ABSTRACT
Chitinozoans have received little study by American paleontologists but newly re-
ported occurrences from Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian strata in North America
suggest that they may become important stratigraphic indices. A rapid reconnaissance of
wells, outcrops, field notes, etc., has yielded eighteen geographic occurrences and leads us
to believe that these microfossils are widely distributed and abundant in the Paleozoic.
More than 500 specimens have been examined. Study of a complete Silurian-Devonian
core sequence in White Co., 111., has shown chitinozoans occur in three separate zones
and represent two faunules.
The taxonomic position of the Chitinozoa is discussed, and it is concluded that these
microfossils represent an extinct order of rhizopod protozoans. The common association
of chitinozoans and glauconite in the Clear Creek chert suggests that these microorganisms
lived in relatively shallow marine waters in a moderately anaerobic environment.
All previously recorded genera are briefly described, and two new genera, Ampulla-
chitina and Illichitina, are proposed. All known species are listed and eleven new species
from Illinois are described and illustrated.
INTRODUCTION
IN RECENT YEARS the existence of the
Chitinozoa has been virtually forgotten
by paleontologists and stratigraphers. In
Europe, where they were first described,
there has been little progress in knowledge
of these fossils for more than a decade. In
the United States they have never received
significant attention from paleontologists,
although some subsurface stratigraphers
have used zones in which chitinozoans are
abundant as stratigraphic markers without
knowing the nature of the fossils. Oil geol-
ogists in the Eastern Interior Basin and
Illinois Geological Survey stratigraphers
have used abundance of these "black spore-
like bodies" as a criterion for recognizing
the Clear Creek chert for a number of years.
In some areas abundance of the "black
spores" has been used to define the limits of
the formation.
Because of the abundance of chitinozoans
and their importance to the oil industry as
stratigraphic markers, the authors in 1953
began to collect and study these microfossils.
The Superior Oil Company-H. C. Ford
et al. C-17 core from White Co., 111., then
became available for study and, as the en-
tire Silurian-Devonian section was cored in
that test, we initiated a study to determine
the precise range and abundance of chitino-
zoans in the core. Although more than 500
specimens from the Superior core provide
the nucleus for this study, a number of
other occurrences of chitinozoa in the Mid-
west were found as study progressed. So
much material has been obtained that this
paper should be considered a progress report
and a basis for further study.
We believe that Chitinozoa are so widely
distributed in the lower Paleozoic of North
America that they offer promise of becoming
an important tool for outcrop and subsur-
face correlation. Several characteristics fa-
vor their use as stratigraphic indices: 1)
they are of widespread geographic occur-
rence, 2) they consist of material that is
virtually indestructible, so they are abun-
dantly preserved and may be recovered from
concentrated hydrofluoric, sulfuric, hydro-
chloric, or other acid residues, 3) they are
easily recognizable in outcrop and well sam-
ples, and 4) they are small and have enough
distinguishing features to be identified even
in finely crushed well samples. Determina-
tion of their value as index fossils now de-
pends upon detailed study by micropaleon-
tologists and stratigraphers, and we hope
that this study will serve as a basis for re-
newed interest in the microfossils.
It is a pleasure to acknowledge help from
several colleagues of the Illinois Geological
Survey. H. B. Willman and D. H. Swann
[7]
8
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
read and criticized the manuscript and gave
information and encouragement throughout
the study. R. M. Kosanke gave information
that greatly aided our work, especially dur-
ing the early stages of the project. We are
also indebted to W. F. Bradley, who made
our X-ray photographs, to James Baxter,
who discovered chitinozoans in the Silurian
of Illinois, and to Alan Scott, who made
most of the text figures.
STRATIGRAPHIC AND GEOGRAPHIC
OCCURRENCE
Eisenack coined the name Chitinozoa in
1931 for a previously undescribed group of
"chitinous" microfossils that he obtained
from Ordovician and Silurian rocks of the
East Prussia Baltic region of Europe. In
subsequent publications, he, DeFlandre, and
Lewis extended the known range and occur-
rence of the Chitinozoa in Europe to the
z
<
O
>
UJ
Q
UPPER
New Albany
(part)
Alto
MIDDLE
Lmqle
Grond Tower
Dutch Creek
Cleor Creek
LOWER
Rnnkhone
Boiley
2
<
q:
=)
-I
if)
NIAGARAN
Moccasin
Springs
St. Cloir
ALEXANDRIAN
Sexton Creek
Edgewood
•2.
<
o
>
o
Q
or
o
CINCINNATIAN
Moquoketo
Fernvole
MOHAWKIAN
Kimmswick
Decoroh
Plattin
Joachim
Dutchtown
CHAZY
St Peter
Everton
1 1
1
• 1 1
w
1
1 lA
Al 1
1
1 1
1
1
— r-' — r—
1
Al -!- 1
— 1 A
1 1
1-^ 1
— I —
1
1 1
—
— 1 —
1 1
1
1
1 ' 1
/■../■
/ /
/ /
/ / ■
• /■ /
Fig. 1. — Generalized section for southern Illinois
showing* all reported stratigraphic oc-
currences of chitinozoans. The Maquo-
keta occurrence is in northern Illinois, the
Moccasin Springs in the Racine of north-
ern Illinois, and the Decorah in southern
Minnesota.
Silurian of the Montagne Noire of southern
France, the Ordovician of northern Wales,
the Ordovician of western Germany, and
the Ordovician of western Czechoslovakia.
Stauf^er (1933) reported the first chitin-
ozoan species from the western hemisphere
when he described Rhahdochit'ina ? minne-
sotensis from the Middle Ordovician Dec-
orah formation of Minnesota. Cooper
(1942) reported that chitinozoans range
from the Ordovician to the Devonian in
North America, and Lange (1949) de-
scribed a single species from the Devonian
of Brazil.
Our study leads us to believe that the
Chitinozoa are abundant and widespread in
Midwestern United States and that they
will be found to be abundant elsewhere.
We have learned from L. E. Workman,
Canadian Stratigraphic Service, Ltd., Cal-
gary (personal communication), that chitin-
ozoans are common in the Devonian rocks
of Alberta. While this report was being
completed, an occurrence of chitinozoans in
the Upper Ordovician Maquoketa shale in
a well in Lake County, 111., was discovered.
All occurrences of chitinozoans in North
America known to us, other than the above-
mentioned two, are shown in figure 2, and
the occurrence of all known species are
listed under the discussion of each respec-
tive genus. It is emphasized that the known
occurrences listed are the results of a recon-
naissance examination of wells and outcrops
and probably represent only a small frac-
tion of the total occurrences in Illinois and
adjacent states.
Chitinozoans in Superior-Ford C-17 core.
— The results of a detailed study of the
lithology, chert percentages, insoluble resi-
dues, and occurrence of chitinozoans in the
Superior Oil Co.-Ford C-17 core are illus-
trated in figure 3. Examination of the chi-
tinozoans was undertaken as part of a gen-
eral study of the core. The lithologies of
the whole core were described, the amount
of chert present was estimated visually, and
the core was sampled every foot. Half of
each sample was retained as a hand speci-
men and the other half was crushed for in-
soluble-residue and other analyses. Ten to
20 grams of crushed material from each sam-
STRATIGRAPHIC AND GEOGRAPHIC OCCURRENCE
I7«
V
• \ WISCONSIN
MINNESOTA N
\
IOWA
-\r
KEY
® Middle Devonian ?
9 Middle Devonian
© Lower Devonian
-^ Middle Devonion on(
^ Lower Silunon
-^ Middle Silunon
4 Middle Ordovicion
y Devonian top ot seo
level
Scole of Miles
p . 100
TENNESSEE
BLACK ^ «>I5
/warrior
BASIN
Fig. 2. — Map showing locations of wells and out-
crops from which chitinozoans have been
collected, (In Illinois, unless otherwise
noted.)
1. Mulford Engineering Service-Thornton well,
sec. 34, T. 36 N., R. 14 E., Cook Co., depths
145-150 feet, Racine formation.
2. Allen and Sherritt-Biggs well 1, sec. 9, T. 11
N., R. 14 W., Clark Co., depths 1425-1445
feet. Clear Creek chert.
3. National Assoc. Petroleum Co.-Handley well
1, sec. 26, T. 10 N., R. 7 E., Cumberland Co.,
depths 3736-3743 feet. Grand Tower forma-
tion.
4. Northern Ordinance, Inc.-Sapp well 1, sec.
5, T. 2 N., R. 5 E., Clay Co., depths 4650-
4670 feet, Clear Creek chert.
5. Magnolia Petroleum Co.-Youngs well 28, sec.
20, T. 2 N., R. 2 E., Marion Co., depths 3406-
3440 feet, Clear Creek chert.
6. Superior Oil Co.-Williams et al. well 1, sec.
22, T. 2 N., R. 1 E., Marion Co., depth 3480
feet, Clear Creek chert.
7. Shell Oil Co.-Ragan well 1, sec. 25, T. 2 S.,
R. 1 E., Jefferson Co., depths 3900-3935
feet, Bailey formation.
8. Shell Oil Co.-Schubert well Al, sec. 23, T.
4 S., R. 2 W., Perry Co., depths 2974-3014
feet, Clear Creek chert.
9. Superior Oil Co.-H. C. Ford et al. well C-17,
sec. 27, T. 4 S., R. 14 W., White Co.; see fig-
ure 2 for distribution.
10. Phillips Oil Co.-Garr well 1, sec. 31, T. 4 S.,
R. 11 E., White Co., depths 5120-5130 and
5150-5155 feet, Clear Creek chert.
11. Burr Lambert Co.-Hagler well 1, sec. 28, T.
10 S., R. 2 W., Jackson Co., depths 2400-
2565 feet, Clear Creek chert.
pie was dissolved in 10 percent hydrochloric
acid, and the resulting residue was weighed
and examined for microfossils. Many free
chitinozoans were found in the residues, and
the total abundance was visually estimated
and plotted.
The location of the core in the central
and deepest part of the Eastern Interior
Basin (fig. 2, well 9) makes it of key im-
portance, for it is about equidistant from
the relatively complete outcrop-sections of
Silurian-Devonian strata in the southwest-
ern Illinois Grand Tower area, the cen-
tral Tennessee Wells Creek area, and the
Louisville area of Kentucky and Indiana.
So far, outcrops containing chitinozoans
have been reported only from the Grand
Tower area but as far as we know they
have not been sought in the other outcrop
areas.
The chitinozoans occur in three zones in
the core — two thick zones in the Middle
Devonian Clear Creek chert and one thin
zone in the lower part of the Lower Si-
lurian Sexton Creek formation. In the
Clear Creek, which is generally defined as
a cherty limestone or calcareous chert unit,
the zones extend from 4990 to 5100 feet
and from 5205 to 5456 feet, respectively.
They coincide closely in each case with sili-
ceous, dolomitic portions of the core and
are separated by about a hundred feet of
relatively pure limestone without chitino-
zoans. Such coincidence of the chitinozoans
12. F. Lyrler-Baysinger well 1, sec. 32, T. 10 S.,
R. 3 W., Jackson Co., depths 270-295 feet,
Bailey formation.
13. Little Egypt Oil Co.-Bassler well 1, sec. 35,
T. 11 S., R. 1 W., Union Co., depths 2425-
2824 feet. Clear Creek chert.
14. Hobson and Holman-J. T. West well 1, 1-F-
26, Christian Co., Ky., depths 2285-2330
feet, Clear Creek chert.
15. Gerre Jordan well 1, Hardin Co., Tenn.,
depth 80 feet, questionable Devonian.
16. Blocks of rock believed to be Grand Tower
limestone excavated for foundation of an
aerial pipeline crossing tower near Devils
Bakeoven, sec. 23, T. 10 S., R. 4 W., Jackson
Co.
17. Outcrop in lower part of Decorah shale, 5
feet above the base of the formation. Ford
Bridge, Minneapolis, Minn.
18. Outcrop in the shale just above the "marble
layer," 4j/^ feet above the base of the Decorah
shale, Lieb Quarry, Faribault, Minn,
10
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURFEY
Limoloqit
log of
core
Estimated % of
chert in core
Insoluble resrdue
by %
Zi
<
KEY
I I I limestone
[^ff^ chert
|-------| siltstone
[^^^■^ shole
[•".•■.•-.'•■I sandstone
SYMBOLS
a glouconite
-^_L. dolomitic
A cherty
ooo oolitic
-ro----r- siity
_i_ -^ colcoreous
-^:^- orgilloceous
R red color
y •■-■•■ •";■.■ sondy
Fig. 3.
STRATIGRAPHIC AND GEOGRAPHIC OCCURRENCE
11
Fig. 3. — (Continued)
12
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
LitholoqK
log of
core
Estimoted % of
chert in core
Insoluble residue
by %
TM
m
im
DHI
^mi
33^
31^
j^^
3Z^
n^
ffi
0^
^mi
3^n
§^1:
EHS
SI:
imi
^EW
m^
TIL
^p=^
-J^
3HIz
^
<
Fig. 3. — (Continued)
STRATIGRAFHIC AND GEOGRAPHIC OCCURRENCE
13
MOCCASIN 595^
SPRINGS
ST. CLAIR
SEXTON
CREEK
EDGE-
WOOD
MAQ.
Lifhologic
log of
core
3=
33E
m
311
lEIL
Estimoted % of
Fig. 3. — ^Continued) — Graphic section of a portion of the 6-inch Superior- Ford C-17 core, sec.
27, T. 4 S., R. 14 _W., White Co. The core was completed in 1952 and
the portion shown is continuous. Oil-base mud was used in drilling and
the electric log should be interpreted accordingly.
with the siliceous strata might lead to the
conclusion that the chitinozoans owe their
preservation to the slllcification of the beds.
However, as mentioned above, many of the
Chitlnozoa were dissolved from the cal-
careous portions of the core. This points
to the possibility that chitinozoans may have
flourished in environments favorable to the
deposition of chert whether that be governed
by the depth, pH of the water, or some other
factor. The following species occur In both
zones of the Clear Creek.
Lagenochitina brevicervicata n. sp.
L. elongata n. sp.
Angochitina flasca n. sp.
A. pusilla n. sp.
L. brevicervicata and A. flasca are very
common to abundant ; the other two species
are rare to common. A number of Bairdia-
like ostracodes were found associated with
Chitlnozoa between depths of 5267 and
5395 feet. Sponge spicules were noted at a
5385-foot depth, and a single occurrence of
bryozoa was recorded at a depth of 5489
feet.
Glauconlte, which Is characteristic of the
Clear Creek, occurs throughout the forma-
tion, but It Is most common In the two chl-
tlnozoan zones. Cloud (1955, p. 490)
gives physical limits for glauconlte forma-
tion. The limits that appear to be signifi-
cant In Indicating the environment of the
Clear Creek and Its chitlnozoan fauna are :
1) It occurs off most oceanic coasts and
mainly on the continental shelves away from
large streams; 2) It Is known to originate
only In marine waters of normal salinity;
3) Its formation requires at least slightly
reducing conditions, at sites of origin within
the enclosing sediments; 4) Its formation Is
facilitated by the presence of decaying or-
ganic matter, which results In reducing con-
ditions. The bottom habitat is favorable to
sediment-ingesting organisms with low oxy-
gen requirements; 5) Its formation is fa-
vored in the upper part of the 10 to 400
fathom Interval. It Is rare to uncommon at
other depths; 6) It has a wide range of
temperature tolerance; and 7) It is com-
monly associated with remains and fecal pel-
lets of sediment-ingesting organisms. It Is
rare In beds that are rich in algae, corals, or
bryozoans. The presence of ostracode shells
is not out of keeping with such an environ-
ment as outlined by Cloud, and the condi-
14
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
tions are favorable to protozoans, such as
we believe the Chitinozoa to be.
The third chitinozoan zone was found in
the lower part of the Sexton Creek forma-
tion between depths of 6065 and 6075 feet,
where the rock is a cherty argillaceous lime-
stone. Two species were common, Ampul-
lachitina laguncula and Illichitina crotalurn.
Some glauconite is present in the upper part
of the formation, but it immediately overlies
the zone of Chitinozoa.
THE SYSTEMATIC POSITION OF THE
CHITINOZOA
There has been considerable doubt about
the precise zoological affinities of the Chitin-
ozoa. Eisenack (1931), in the first report
on the fossils, stated that he believed them
to be related to the rhizopod order Theca-
moebaea (Testacea), which contains genera
with structureless chitin-like tests. Such re-
cent Thecamoebaea genera as Diplophrys
Barker, Micrometes Cienkowski, Lieber-
kiihnia Claparede and Lachmann, Micro-
gromia Hertwig and Lesser, and Gromia
Dujardin contain species that not only have
structureless chitin-like tests but compare in
size, shape, and color to the fossil Chitino-
zoa Lagenochitina and Desmochitina. Ei-
senack stated, however, that living members
of the Thecamoebaea live mainly in fresh
water and he noted that their shells are solu-
ble in potash lye whereas those of the Chi-
tinozoa are not.
In 1932 Eisenack called attention to the
similarity between the flagellate protozoan
genus Trachelo?no7ias Ehrenberg and some
chitinozoans. Some species of Trachelo-
monas float about in a brittle covering which
extends away from the body and is gener-
ally colored brown by iron oxide. The tests
are thick and possess necks and collars much
like Lagenochitina, Angochitina, and Des-
mochitina. Some are smooth, others cov-
ered with short spines. The material of the
tests is apparently different in comparable
species of the two groups, however, as the
Trachelomonas test is composed of cellu-
lose. Furthermore, the genus is only known
to occur in fresh water. These factors, Ei-
senack wrote, seem to oppose any connection
between the flagellates and the Chitinozoa.
He did, however, indicate a strong belief
that the Chitinozoa are protozoans.
Jepps (1926) published a detailed study
of the Thecamoebaea species Gromia ovi-
formis Dujardin, which occurs in great
quantity along the seashore of Great Brit-
ain. The similarity of this form to such
chitinozoan genera as Lagenochitina and
Angochitina is certainly close. G. oviformis
is almost spherical, being either slightly de-
pressed or ellipsoidal in general shape with
a small mouth at one end of the long axis.
The shape of the animal is constant because
of the rigid pseudochitinous test. The
mouth is bordered by a neck, such as is found
in Lagenochitina brevicervicata, and the
neck carries a soft collar through which the
pseudopodia are extruded. The collar may
be extended or retracted as the pseudopodia
are extended or retracted. The oral dia-
phragm of some chitinozoans may have been
flexible enough to have performed a similar
function. The test or chamber of G. ovi-
formis is composed of an outer perforate
layer and a thinner structureless inner
layer. The two layers appear to correspond
to the tegmen and chamber wall found in
Lagenochitina (fig. 6).
The composition of the chitinozoan test.
— One of the most important factors to be
considered in determining the affinities of
Chitinozoa is the nature of the material that
composes the test. Jepps in 1926 reported
the results of analyses in which she sub-
jected the shells of the Recent Theca-
moeba Gromia oviformis to several analyses.
They indicated that the inner layer of the
test is insoluble in acetic acid, hydrochloric
acid, or cold 50 percent caustic potash. In
boiling caustic potash the basal membrane
broke up, presumably as the result of the
violent boiling. The outer layer of the shell
resisted solution in all the solvents except
caustic potash, which dissolved the layer in
one week. The collar dissolved in both the
hydrochloric acid and the caustic potash but
was insoluble in dilute acetic acid. Jepps
came to the conclusion that the outer layer
is composed of pseudochitin but gave no
opinion concerning the structureless inner
SYSTEMATIC POSITION OF CHITINOZOA
15
oral aperture
or mouth
— collar
lip
diaphragm
branched spine
bifid spine
chamber
wall
neck-|
copula
aboral flange
aboral pit
aboral
B
Fig. 4. — Diagrams of hypothetical chitinozoan individual (A) and chain (B) illustrating the terminology
used in this report. The terms proximal and distal used in previous chitinozoan studies are aban-
doned because they have been applied in a sense contrary to general usage of the terms.
layer, although her analyses seem to show
that it is of a pseudochitinous nature also.
Eisenack (1931) conducted a number
of experiments in an attempt to determine
the chemical composition of the chitinozoan
test. He found the tests completely resist-
ant to heating with concentrated hydrochlo-
ric acid, concentrated hydrofluoric acid (40
percent), or concentrated potash lye (20
and 50 percent), even when the specimens
are heated in these solutions for long periods
at 100° C. The Chitinozoa were heated up
to 200° C. in 90 percent sulfuric acid and
did not dissolve. Eisenack noted that chitin
from modern animals is affected by caustic
soda if the chitin has already been hydro-
lized by heating with hydrochloric acid or
sulfuric acid. As the result of these tests,
he recognized that there seems to be a dis-
tinct difference in composition between
modern chitin and the tests of the Chitino-
zoa, but he concluded that the chitinozoan
test is probably stabilized by an anhydrous
structure that resists hydrolyzation.
Clark and Smith (1936) performed a
series of experiments on chitin from the
carapace of the lobster Homarus ameri-
canus, and they noted the following char-
acteristics: 1) The chitin occurs in long
fibrils that can be teased apart after treat-
ment with absolute alcohol; 2) The chitin
is soluble in hot saturated sodium hydrox-
ide; 3) The chitin is soluble in concen-
trated mineral acids such as HCl but is un-
16
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
attacked by others. Even at room tempera-
ture, chitin is hydrolyzed in hydrochloric
acid.
Kesling (1951, p. 70-71) took an X-ray
powder photograph of dried Daphiiia longi-
spina, which are said to be made entirely of
chitin. The film showed only very diffuse
halos of high d values (approximate values
of 4.5 and 11. 7a at the center of the dif-
fuse bands). Clark and Smith published
powder patterns of lobster chitin that were
very diffuse, indicating an almost amor-
phous structure.
W. F. Bradley made X-ray photographs
for us of the test wall of several broken rep-
resentatives of Angochitirm flasca. The re-
sults were comparable with those quoted by
Kesling for Daphnia. However, as also
noted by Kesling, the halos are too diffuse
to be used as proof that the material X-rayed
was or was not chitin.
The experiments by Jepps, from which
she concluded that Gro?fiia is pseudochitin-
ous, the analyses made by Clark and Smith
on chitin from the lobster Homarus, and
the work by Eisenack on chitinozoans lead
to the conclusion that the composition of the
Chitinozoa is close to that of Gromia and
not very close to true chitin. If allowance
is made for any changes in composition of
the chitinozoan tests during preservation,
then an original composition of pseudo-
chitin seems probable.
In general shape, such choanoflagellates
as the marine protomonad genera Salpin-
goeca James-Clark and Conodoeca James-
Clark closely resemble the chitinozoan spe-
cies Angochitina bifurcata, and Lagenochi-
tina sacculus. Furthermore, these flagellate
genera contain species that possess chitin-
like tests and soft oral collars and are either
attached by a stalk or are free-swimmers.
These characteristics speak strongly for
classification of the Chitinozoa with the
flagellates. However, very few pseudochi-
tinous or marine flagellate genera are
known, and forms with relatively thick
tests, such as are characteristic of the Chi-
tinozoa, are very rare.
Among the rhizopods, thick pseudochitin-
ous tests are very common, and there are
many more marine genera than among the
flagellates. Oral collars and flagella are
known but are uncommon ; attachment or-
ganelles, whose presence is reflected in the
shape of the test, are rare. Nevertheless,
there are many species of sessile rhizopods.
Thus the Chitinozoa have characteristics in
common with both flagellates and rhizopods
but do not fit perfectly into either class.
Furthermore, neither class possesses such
chitinozoan features as bifurcate and
branched spines or thick oral diaphragms.
Therefore it seems best to consider the
Chitinozoa as an extinct order of marine
protozoans which, because of their thick
pseudochitinous tests and marine habitat,
we are referring to the class Rhizopoda
(Sarcodina). Chitinozoa may be a mis-
nomer in that the microfossils seem to be
composed of pseudochitin.* The term is re-
tained, however, because of its previous
usage and because many paleontologists use
the word chitin in a broad sense for any
horny organic substance.
PALEOBIOLOGY
Any attempt to describe the biology of
the Chitinozoa is partly based upon their
identification as rhizopods and the assump-
tion that they lived much as modern forms
do. There are, however, several charac-
teristics of the Chitinozoa that give clues
to their mode of life. For example, the
aboral pit, which is present on many chitin-
ozoan species, may have served as a recep-
tacle for a stalk or other kind of holdfast
organelle. Forms with pits therefore may
have been benthonic, whereas such forms
as Angochitina bifurcata and Ampidlachi-
tlna laguncula, w^hich possess spines and no
aboral pit, were probably floaters. The col-
lared chitinozoans are much like living flag-
ellates. It seems reasonable to presume their
collar functioned like the flagellate collar
and w^as a food-gathering device that may
have paralyzed algae or other microscopic
organisms that came in contact with it.
From comparison with modern forms, we
infer that most of the Chitinozoa gathered
* Hyman (1940. p. 55) slates "pseudochitin is a glyco-
protein, a combinalion of protein and carbohydrate, similar
chemically to mucin (slime). Chitin is non-protein and
consists of acetic acid united to glucosamine (the sugar
glucose with one OH group replaced by NH2)."
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
17
food and moved by use of pseudopodia or
flagella extended from the oral aperture.
Reproduction among living rhizopods is
chiefly by binary fission but also by multiple
fission and budding. In many cases the life
cycle includes production of flagellate
swarmers, and some forms are flagellate at
times in the adult state. In some genera re-
production involves an alternation of sexual
and asexual generations, and the adult is
commonly dimorphic. In simple species,
however, the two forms cannot be distin-
guished. Such may also be the case with
some chitinozoans. In the chitinozoan genus
Desmochitina two to six individuals are
commonly found in chains that may be
similar to the chains of the dinoflagellate
Ceratiuni that are formed by repeated bi-
nary fission.
PALEOECOLOGY
So far, chitinozoans have been found
mainly in limestone but great numbers have
also been recovered from chert, dolomite,
and shale. Where found, the fossils are
very abundant and occur in a considerable
range of sizes. Often such delicate features
as bifurcate spines and translucent collars
are preserved. These facts seem to indicate
that the faunas have not been transported
any significant distance and that in most
cases they represent a life assemblage. In
each assemblage one or two species predom-
inate. Other species are very rare and may
merely represent specific variants or muta-
tions of the predominant species.
In one southern Illinois occurrence, De-
vonian chitinozoans were found associated
with scolecodonts. In the Superior-Ford
C-17 core, ostracodes were commonly found
with chitinozoans throughout a 128-foot
zone; some sponge spicules and one bryo-
zoan were also found associated with chi-
tinozoans. With the exception of the bryo-
zoan, all these associated forms could have
lived and flourished in an oxygen-poor en-
vironment, such as Cloud has stated (see p.
13) is required for the formation of glau-
conite. These conditions along with the
other requirements for glauconite forma-
tion listed by Cloud may very well outline
the environment of the Chitinozoa.
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
The Chitinozoa were established by Ei-
senack in 1931 and revised by the later work
of Eisenack and DeFlandre. For the rea-
sons outlined above, we are recognizing
Chitinozoa as an order and placing it in the
class Rhizo'poda. Revision of existing classi-
fication has been held to a minimum in an-
ticipation of more extensive studies. How-
ever, a few changes have been made in order
to effect a more natural and useful classi-
fication. The polymorphic genus Conochi-
t'lna is restricted to slightly tapered forms,
and the genera Ampullachitina n. gen. and
lUichitina n. gen. are erected for ampulla-
shaped forms with long necks and bell-
shaped forms, respectively. In addition, two
species, Conochitina lageno7norpha Eisenack
and C. filifera Eisenack, are referred to
Aiigochitina.
Phylum Protozoa Goldfuss, 1818
Class Rhizopoda Dujardin, 1841
Order Chitinozoa Eisenack, 1931
Axially sj^mmetrical marine organisms
with simple but varied rod-, club-, flask-,
or trumpet-shaped tests. Individuals range
from about .03 mm. to .5 mm. in length.
The test, which we believe to be pseudo-
chitinous, is generally black, structureless,
and opaque. In some species the test is
brown or amber and is translucent. The
test is open at one end, the oral, and closed
at the other end, the aboral. The surface
of the test may be very smooth, tuberculate,
or hispid. In combination with any of these
surface textures, the test may possess either
simple or branched spines.
The organisms occur either singly or in
chains of several individuals. The most in-
dividuals found in a chain is six. Strati-
graphically they are known to occur from
the Middle Ordovician to the Middle De-
vonian. They have been found in the
United States, Canada, Brazil, Wales, Ger-
many, France, and Czechoslovakia.
Family Lagenochitinidae Eisenack, 1931
As defined by Eisenack, this family con-
sists of flask-shaped individuals that have
their greatest diameter near the midlength.
18
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Fig. 5. — Representatives of all genera of Chitinozoa, with omission of the genus Ampullachitina (fig. 9).
All except figure A are holotypes upon which the genotypes of genera published prior to this re-
port are based. (A) Illichitina cervicornis (Eisenack); (B) Angochitina echinata Eisenack; (C)
Lagenochitina baltica Eisenack; (D) Mirachitina qiiadrupedis Eisenack; (E) Acanthochitina barbata
Eisenack; (F) Desmochitina nodosa Eisenack; (G) Parachitina curvata Eisenack; (H) Conochitina
claviformis Eisenack; (I) Rhabdochitina magna Eisenack. All after Eisenack.
The chamber tapers gradually to a tubular
neck which is terminated by a smooth
mouth.
Genus Lagenochitina Eisenack, 1931
Genotype : Lagenochitina baltica Eisenack
The genus contains flask-shaped forms
without spines. The genotype was origin-
ally described from the Ordovlclan Ostsee-
kalk of the East Prussia Baltic region. The
genus now contains the following species:
L. cylindrica Eisenack — Ordovician lime-
stone, East Prussia Baltic region.
L. prussica Eisenack — Ordovician Ostsee-
kalk. East Prussia Baltic region.
L. sphaerocephala Eisenack — Silurian
Beyrichienkalk, East Prussia Baltic region,
Ordovician (E^) of Kozel, western Czecho-
slovakia (Bohemia) ; Silurian of Combe
d'Izarne in the Montagne Noire of south-
ern France.
L. boheniica Eisenack — Ordovician T)^i
of Sarka, western Czechoslovakia (Bohe-
mia).
L. brevicervicata n. sp. — Middle Devo-
nian Clear Creek chert of southern Illinois
and southern Tennessee.
L. elongata n. sp. — Middle Devonian
Clear Creek chert of southern Illinois.
L. sphaerica n. sp. — Middle Devonian
Clear Creek chert of southern Illinois.
L. sacculus n. sp. — Lower Devonian Bai-
ley formation of southern Illinois.
Lagenochitina brevicervicata Collin-
son and Schwalb, n. sp.
Plate 1, figures 16-19; plate 2, figures 11-13
Diagnosis. — Chamber subspherical, slight-
ly elongate; terminated orally by simple
mouth at end of very short rather indistinct
neck; terminated aborally by small obscure
papilla with external pit ; chamber wall thin
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
19
and opaque; exterior surface finely tuber-
culate.
Re?narks. — This species is known from
the Clear Creek chert of southern Illinois,
where it is very common in some zones, and
from beds of questionable Middle Devonian
age in southern Tennessee.
The holotype of this species (pi. 2, fig.
13) is a large individual .21 mm. in maxi-
mum diameter and .25 mm. long. The oral
end of the holotype has been compressed
laterally during preservation, but before
deformation must have been about 1/3 the
diameter of the chamber. The lip appears
to have been simple and smooth. The cham-
ber walls of the species are thin and there is
a thin oral diaphragm at the base of the
neck. The diaphragm has a single oral aper-
ture about 1/3 the diameter of the neck.
Nearly all representatives of this species
have been deformed to some extent during
preservation. Flattened specimens, such as
those shown in plate 1, figures 18 and 19,
make up a large percentage of the individ-
uals observed. The thin chamber walls
probably account for the large proportion of
crushed specimens.
L. brevicervicata is related to L. sphae-
rica, but the latter has a long neck and the
aboral papilla is large and distinct. The spe-
cific name brevicervicata is chosen because
the short neck is characteristic of the spe-
cies.
Occurrence. — Middle Devonian Clear
Creek chert in the following wells : 1 )
Magnolia Petroleum Co.-Youngs well 28,
sec. 20, T. 2 N., R. 2 E., Marion Co., 111.,
where this species is abundant in the top 10
or 20 feet of the chert. The small paratype
illustrated in plate 1, figure 16, came from
a depth of 3407 feet; 2) Superior-Ford
well C-17, sec. 27, T. 4 S., R. 14 W.,
White Co., 111., where this species occurs at
depths of 5310 to 5380 feet. The holotype
shown in plate 2, figure 13, and the para-
types illustrated in plate 1, figures 17-19,
and plate 2, figures 11 and 12, came from a
depth of 5376 feet; and 3) Burr Lambert
Co.-Hagler well 1, sec. 28, T. 10 S., R.
2 W., Jackson Co., 111., where the species
is common at depths of 2560 to 2565 feet.
Several representatives of the species have
been found in Gerre Jordan well 1 in Har-
din Co., Tenn., where the specimens were
found in rocks of questionable age. As
all other occurrences of this species are in
rocks of Middle Devonian age, the same
age seems indicated for the Tennessee speci-
mens.
Repository. — Illinois Geological Survey.
Lagenochitina elongata Collinson and
Schwalb, n. sp.
Plate 2, figure 10
Diagnosis. — ^Chamber subovoid, elon-
gate, flattened basally; terminated orally by
thin collar at end of short neck; terminated
aborally by prominent papilla; chamber wall
moderately thick and opaque ; exterior sur-
face smooth.
Remarks. — This species is based on a sin-
gle distorted but well-preserved specimen
.16 mm. in maximum diameter and .30 mm.
long. As shown by plate 2, figure 10, the
chamber of the holotype has a large rupture,
which appears to have been made during or
shortly after the life of the specimen, while
the test was still relatively flexible. A rem-
nant of a thin translucent oral collar is pre-
served.
The holotype was found in subsurface
Clear Creek chert in southern Illinois. The
specimen is clearly referable to Lagenochi-
tina because its maximum diameter is near
the midlength. However, its general shape
approaches that of the genotype of Cono-
chltina, C. claviformis Eisenack. L. elon-
gata is not closely similar to any other spe-
cies.
Occurrence. — Superior-Ford well C-17,
sec. 27, T. 4 S., R. 14 W., White Co., 111.,
from a depth of 5303 feet.
Repository. — Illinois Geological Survey.
Lagenochitina sacculus Collinson
and Schwalb, n. sp.
Figure 6
Diagnosis. — Chamber pyriform ; termi-
nated orally by long thin translucent cylin-
drical collar; mouth simple; neck indis-
20
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Fig. 6. — The holotype of Lagenochitina sacculus
n. sp., a natural section in white chert,
X370. Note the presence of a tegmen.
tinct; very broadly rounded aborally ; cham-
ber wall thin and opaque ; external surface
appears smooth.
Remarks. — This species is known from
the holotype and three paratypes found in
the Lower Devonian Bailey formation of
southern Illinois. The holotype is well pre-
served in chert and is .12 mm. in maximum
diameter and .20 mm. in over-all length.
The collar is .07 mm. long, and the diameter
of the mouth is about 1/5 that of the cham-
ber. Although the chamber wall is opaque,
it is covered by a thin brown translucent
tegmen. The collar is joined to the cham-
ber in such a fashion that the lip of the
mouth serves as a flange for attachment
(fig. 4).
L. sacculus is reminiscent of Arigochitiiia
ftasca from the Clear Creek chert but is
smaller and apparently possesses neither
spines nor aboral papilla. In general shape,
L. sacculus is much like Angochitina bifur-
caia, with which it was found associated,
but L. sacculus is larger, possesses no spines,
and has an opaque rather than translucent
chamber wall.
The specific name sacculus (Latin) means
"little bag," and describes the general shape
of the species.
Occurrence. — Lower Devonian Bailey
formation in the F. Lyrler-Baysinger well
1, sec. 32, T. 10 S., R. 3 W., Jackson Co.,
111., from depths of 270 to 275 feet.
Repository. — Illinois Geological Survey.
Lagenochitina sphaerica Collinson and
Schwalb, n. sp.
Plate 1, figures 7-15
Diagnosis. — Chamber spherical to sub-
spherical ; terminated orally by flared collar
at end of short neck; terminated aborally
by prominent papilla with pit ; chamber wall
thick and opaque; exterior surface finely
tuberculate.
Remarks. — This species is known from
the Middle Devonian Clear Creek chert
and possibly from the Bailey formation of
the subsurface of southern Illinois. The
holotype (pi. 1, figs. 7, 9, and 10) is a
large, very well preserved specimen .22 mm.
in maximum diameter and .27 mm. long.
It is incomplete orally, as were all repre-
sentatives of the species observed. The di-
ameter of the neck is equal to about one-
third that of the chamber. In most specimens
there is little doubt that a collar was once
present. The collar of the holotype is trans-
lucent and only partially preserved (pi. 1,
fig. 9). Its wall is much thinner than that
of either the neck or the chamber. Although
the presence of an oral diaphragm could not
be determined in the holotype, a natural sec-
tion of a paratype (plate 1, fig. 8) clearly
shows a thick diaphragm which has at least
one small aperture. The exterior tubercu-
late surface of the holotype is shown on
plate 1, fig. 7. The paratypes (pi. 1, figs.
8 and 11-15) illustrate the common state
of preservation of this species as well as
the variation in basal flattening and size of
the aboral papilla.
This species is very similar in size and
general shape to L. brevicervicata, with
which it is associated, although the latter
is distinguished by its very short indistinct
neck. L. sphaerocephala Eisenack from the
Silurian of the East Prussia Baltic region is
the European species most like L. sphaerica
but Eisenack's species has a very long neck.
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
21
In general shape Desmochitiiia? urna Eisen-
ack resembles the species under considera-
tion but Z).? urna possesses a basal flange.
Occurrence. — Middle Devonian Clear
Creek chert at depths of 2500 to 2565 feet
in Burr Lambert Co.-Hagler well 1, sec.
28, T. 10 S., R. 2 W., Jackson Co., III.,
and Hobson and Holman-J. T. West well
1, l-F-26, Christian Co., Ky., at depths of
2285 to 2330 feet. The holotype and para-
types illustrated on plate 1, figures 7-10 and
13-15, came from between 2500 to 2505
feet depths in the Illinois well. The para-
type figured on plate 1, figures 11 and 12,
came from between 2560 and 2565 feet in
the same well.
Repository. — Illinois Geological Survey.
Genus Angochitixa Eisenack, 1931
Genotype: Angochitina echinata Eisenack
Figure 5B
Angochitina differs from Lage?iochitina
in that the former possesses surface spines.
The genotype is from the Silurian Beyrichi-
enkalk of the East Prussia Baltic region.
Two other species were assigned to the
genus by Eisenack, A. capillata and A. elon-
gata, both from the Ordovician or Silurian
of the Baltic region. We have assigned
three additional species to the genus, A.
pusilla and A. flasca from the Middle De-
vonian Clear Creek chert and A. bifurcata
from the Lower Devonian Bailey forma-
tion, all from the subsurface of southern
Illinois. Also, we believe that two species
assigned to Conochitina by Eisenack should
be referred to Angochitina — C. lagenomor-
pha Eisenack, from the Silurian of the East
Prussia Baltic region and questionably from
the Silurian of the Montagne Noire in
southern France, and C. filifera Eisenack,
from the Silurian of the East Prussia Baltic
region and probably the Ordovician (£3
zone) Bohemian Kalk of Karlstein in west-
ern Czechoslovakia.
Angochitixa bifurcata Collinson and
Schwalb, n. sp.
Figure 7; plate 2, figures 1-3
Diagnosis. — Chamber pyriform ; termi-
nated orally by long thin translucent sub-
cylindrical collar at the end of a short flared
neck ; broadly rounded aborally ; mouth
simple ; chamber wall thin and translucent ;
external surface of chamber covered with
numerous fine bifid spines.
Remarks. — This species is known from
numerous individuals in the Lower De-
vonian Bailey formation in wells of south-
ern Illinois. The holotype and the two fig-
ured paratypes are preserved in white chert
as natural cross sections. The holotype (pi.
2, fig. 3) is .12 mm. long and .05 mm. wide
if the spines are disregarded. The spines
average about .025 mm. long in the holo-
type, and it is estimated that there are about
50 spines per individual in the species. A
few short spines occur on the collar of the
holotype and one paratype. The collar of
the holotype is .037 mm. long and the aper-
ture of the chamber .025 mm. in diameter.
The collar is very slightly expanded orally
and in outline appears to be an extension of
the neck.
'^M^^:<!?:
Fig. 7. — Diagrammatic representation of Angochi-
tina bifurcata n. sp., illustrating the shape
of the spines and attachment of the collar,
X665.
22
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Angochitina bifurcata more closely resem-
bles A. capillata Eisenack from the Ordovi-
cian Ostseekalk than any other species. The
European species differs, however, in that it
has no distinct collar and its spines are sim-
ple and short. Lagenochitina sacculus is
much like A. bifurcata but it is larger and
possesses no spines. Likewise Lagenochitina
baltica Eisenack is shaped like A. bifurcata
but has no spines.
The species name bifurcata (Latin)
means "forked" and refers to the bifurcate
nature of the spines.
Occurrence. — Very abundant in the
Lower Devonian Bailey formation in Shell
Oil Co.-Ragan well 1, sec. 25, T. 2 S.,
R. 1 E., Jefferson Co., 111., between the
depths of 3907 and 3910 feet; and in the
F. Lyrler-Baysinger well 1, sec. 32, T.
10 S., R. 3 W., Jackson Co., 111., between
the depths of 270 and 335 feet. All figured
specimens came from the latter well ; the
holotype (pi. 2, fig. 3) from between the
depths of 315 and 320 feet and the figured
paratypes from between 330 and 335 feet.
The species also occurs abundantly in
loose blocks of rock believed to be Grand
Tower limestone excavated for the founda-
tion of an aerial pipeline crossing tower
near the Devils Bakeoven in sec. 23, T. 10
S., R. 4 W., Jackson Co., 111.
Repository. — Illinois Geological Survey.
Angochitina flasca CoUinson and
Schwalb, n. sp.
Figure 8; plate 1, figures 1-6; plate 2,
figures 14 and 15
Diagnosis. — Chamber pyriform to sub-
pyriform ; terminated orally by simple
mouth at end of short neck; terminated ab-
orally by broad slightly concave base, which
has distinct papilla with external pit ; cham-
ber walls moderately thick; exterior surface
of chamber relatively smooth except for
scattered short spines.
Remarks. — Angochitina flasca is found in
great numbers in the Middle Devonian
Clear Creek chert throughout the subsur-
face of southern Illinois. The holotype (pi.
1, figs. 5 and 6) is a well-preserved moder-
FiG. 8 — Angochitina flasca n. sp. Diagrammatic
cross section showing details of the lip
and the aboral papilla, approx. X335.
ate-size individual .15 mm. in maximum di-
ameter and .17 mm. long. The size range
of the species is from about .10 mm. to .30
mm. in length. The diameter of the mouth
of the holotype is about 1/3 the diameter
of the chamber. Although it could not be
demonstrated with certainty, the mouth ap-
pears to have an oral diaphragm. The para-
type illustrated in plate 1, figure 1, does not
possess such a structure, but it does show
that the lip is much thinner than the cham-
ber wall and that the chamber wall is only
moderately thick (about .01 mm.). Details
of the aboral papilla are shown in figure 8.
There is some variation in the general shape
of A. flasca. Some individuals, such as the
paratype shown on plate 1, figures 2-4, are
more depressed than the holotype, and oth-
ers, such as the one shown on plate 2, figure
15, are more elongate. Perhaps species
should be erected for these variants, but we
are reluctant to do so until we have studied
a greater number of individuals.
In general size and shape A. fiasca is sim-
ilar to L. elongatus, which is known from
the Clear Creek chert in a single well in
White County, 111. However, L. elongatus
is only slightly flattened basally. The Eu-
ropean species that most closely resembles
A. flasca is the one from the Ordovician of
Czechoslovakia that Eisenack (1934, p.
68) referred to Conochitina? cf. filifera.
The European species probably belongs in
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
23
Angochitina, but it differs from A. flasca
in that it has a flared neck and a large num-
ber of spines.
The specific name flasca is Low Latin for
"wine bottle" or "flask."
Occurrence. — Middle Devonian Clear
Creek chert in the following wells : 1 )
Magnolia Petroleum Co.- Youngs well 28,
sec. 20, T. 2 N., R. 2 E., Marion Co., 111.,
at depths between 2485 and 2490 feet; 2)
Superior-Ford well C-17, sec. 27, T. 4 S.,
R. 14 W., White Co., 111., where the spe-
cies is common to abundant at depths of
4995 to 5456 feet (fig. 3). The holotype
shown on plate 1, figures 5 and 6, is from a
depth of 5020 feet. The paratypes illus-
trated on plate 1, figures 1-4, and plate 2,
figures 14 and 15, are from a depth of 5051
feet; 3) Burr Lambert Co.-Hagler well
1, sec. 28, T. 10 S., R. 2 W., Jackson Co.,
111., where the species occurs at depths be-
tween 2485 and 2590 feet; and 4) Na-
tional Assoc. Petroleum Co.-Handley well
1, sec. 26, T. 10 N., R. 7 E., Cumberland
Co., 111., where a questionable occurrence
of the species was noted at a depth of 3736
feet.
Repository. — Illinois Geological Survey.
the American species has fewer and much
coarser spines.
The specific namt pusil la (Latin) means
"small and insignificant."
Occurrence. — Middle Devonian Clear
Creek chert in the Superior-Ford well C-17,
sec. 27, T. 4 S., R. 14 W., White Co., Ill,
between depths of 5020 and 5030 feet.
Repository. — Illinois Geological Survey.
Genus AcANTHOCHiTiNA Eisenack, 1931
Genotype: Acanthochitina barbata Eisenack
Figure 5E
Only the genotype is referred to this
group of bluntly terminated spiny forms.
The genus is known only from the Ordo-
vician Ostseekalk of the Baltic region.
Family Conochitinidae Eisenack, 1931
Chitinozoans of a general tapered or con-
ical shape are referred to this family. The
greatest thickness is always near the aboral
end. The family contains a number of
forms that resemble the preceding Lageno-
chitinidae but also contains forms similar to
some of the Desmochitinidae.
Angochitina pusilla CoUinson and
Schwalb, n. sp.
Plate 1, figures 20 and 21
Diagnosis. — Chamber pyriform ; termi-
nated orally by simple mouth, no distinct
neck ; rounded aborally ; chamber wall mod-
erately thick and opaque ; exterior surface
covered with scattered coarse spines.
Remarks. — All known representatives of
this species are from the Clear Creek chert
in the subsurface of White Co. in southern
Illinois. The holotype (pi. 1, fig. 21) meas-
ures only .08 mm. in diameter and .12
mm. in length, and the two paratypes are
of the same size. In general shape and size
A. pusilla closely resembles Angochitina bi-
furcata although that species possesses a thin
translucent chamber wall and numerous
bifid spines. A. pusilla also closely resem-
bles A. capillata Eisenack from the Ordo-
vician Ostseekalk of the Baltic region but
Genus Conochitina Eisenack, 1931
Genotype: Conochitina claviformis Eisen-
ack
Eisenack gave the Conochitina the same
characteristics as the family, and to date 26
species have been assigned to the genus.
Among these species there is great variation
in size and shape, and we feel that the genus
has become polymorphic to such an extent
that it is of little taxonomic value. Accord-
ingly, we are emending Conochitina to in-
clude only slightly tapered, club-shaped
chitinozoans. As thus defined, the following
species are referable to the genus:
C. cactacea Eisenack — Ordovician of
East Prussia Baltic region.
C. claviformis Eisenack — Silurian Grap-
tolithengestein of Baltic region, Silurian of
Montagne Noire in southern France, and
Ordovician (Eg) of Lodenitz in western
Czechoslovakia (Bohemia).
24
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURFEY
C. micracantha Eisenack — Ordoviclan
Ostseekalk of the East Prussia Baltic re-
gion, the Ordovician Schiefergebirges of
western Germany (Rheinland), and the
Middle Silurian Racine formation of north-
eastern Illinois.
C. primitiva Eisenack — Ordovician Schie-
fergebirges of western Germany.
C. proboscifera Eisenack — Silurian of the
Baltic region.
C. ? simplex Eisenack — Ordovician (?)
of the East Prussia Baltic region.
C. stentor Eisenack — Ordovician of the
East Prussia Baltic region and the Ordo-
vician Schiefergebirges of western Germany.
C. tuba Eisenack — Silurian of the East
Prussia Baltic region.
?C biconstricta Lange — Devonian of
Parana, southern Brazil.
C. dactylus n. sp. — Middle Silurian of
northern Illinois.
CoNOCHiTiNA DACTYLUS Collinson and
Schwalb, n. sp.
Plate 2, figures 16-19
Diagnosis. — Chamber club-shaped with
greatest diameter about one-third total
length from aboral end, tapers slightly from
greatest diameter both aborally and orally ;
oral one-third of chamber nearly cylindri-
cal ; aboral end broadly rounded ; terminated
orally by very short thin translucent col-
lar; mouth simple; terminated aborally by
relatively large papilla ; chamber wall mod-
erately thick; external surface smooth.
Rejnarks. — This species occurs abundant-
ly in the Middle Silurian Racine formation
in one well in northeastern Illinois. The
holotype (pi. 2, fig. 17) is a well-preserved,
though distorted specimen .17 mm. in maxi-
mum diameter and .47 mm. long. The
mouth is estimated to have been about .06
mm. in diameter before distortion. The
holotype retains remnants of a very short
thin translucent collar, as do several of the
paratypes.
C. dactylus is very closely related to the
genotype C. claviformis, which is known
from the Silurian of the Baltic region and
southern France and questionably from the
Ordovician of western Czechoslovakia. The
only differences between the two species are
that the genotype is slightly flared orally
and possesses short fine processes about the
mouth. C. dactylus is found associated in
Illinois with C. micracantha Eisenack, but
the latter species is differentiated by its flat
base.
The name dactylus (Latin) means
"growing like a finger."
Occurrence. — Interreef facies of the Mid-
dle Silurian Racine formation in the Mul-
ford Engineering Service-Thornton well,
sec. 34, T. 36 N., R 14 E., Cook Co., 111.,
between depths of 120 and 160 feet.
Repository. — Illinois Geological Survey.
Explanation of Plate 1
All magnifications Xl35 except where otherwise noted.
Fjgs l_6 —Angochitina flasca Collinson and Schwalb, n. sp. 1, natural section of a paratype showing in-
terior of chamber, wall thickness, and oral lip; 2-4, three vie^ys of a depressed paratype show-
ing oral aperture, aboral papilla, and general shape, respectively.
7-15—Lagenochitina sphaerka Collinson and Schwalb, n. sp. 7, detail of the holotype showing finely
tuberculate exterior surface, X205; 8, natural section of a paratype illustrating the oral dia-
phragm and aperture; 9, lateral view of the holotype showing the distinct neckand remnants
of an oral collar; 10, oblique aboral view of the holotype showing the aboral papilla and pit;
11, 12, oral and lateral views of a paratype; 13-15, lateral, oral, and opposite lateral views ot
an'incomplete distorted paratype illustrating specific variation.
U-W—Lazenochitina bremcervkata Collinson and Schwalb, n. sp. 16, 17, lateral view of a small incom-
plete paratype and oblique oral view of a small complete paratype; 18, 19, lateral views ot
two crushed paratypes showing a common state of preservation for this species.
W 21—Angochitina pusilla Collinson and Schwalb, n. sp. 20, lateral view of the single paratype;
' lateral view of the holotype showing the incomplete neck and a few coarse spines.
Illinois State Geological Survey
K. I. 186, Platk 1
(ioLLiNsoN AM) S(;u\>Ar.B. I'alkozoic (^hitinozoa
Illinois State Geological Survey
K. I. 186, Plate 2
(>>LLINSO\ AM) SCHWALB. IV\l,EOZOI(: (^HITINOZOA
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
27
CONOCHITINA MICRACANTHA Eisenaclc
Plate 2, figures 20-22
Conochitina Tnicracantha Eisenack, 1931,
Palaeontologische Zeitschrift, bd. 12, p. 84-
85, pi. 1, figs. 19-21; pi. 2, figs. 20-22; pi.
4, fig. 16. Conochitina Tnicracantha Eisen-
ack, 1939, Senckenbergiana, bd. 21, p. 142,
pi. A, fig. 114.
Diagnosis. — Chamber shaped like tapered
rod or club with maximum diameter at
aboral end and tapering slightly toward
mouth; terminated orally by thin translu-
cent collar ; terminated aborally by flat base
in middle of which is a small papilla ; cham-
ber wall moderately thick; external surface
smooth with exception of fine basal spines.
Remarks. — This species is very abundant
in one well in northeastern Illinois, where
it was found in the Middle Silurian Racine
formation. The species was first described
from Ordovician strata of the East Prussia
Baltic region by Eisenack, who gave the size
range of the species as from .23 mm. to .36
mm. In length. Our specimens fall within
that range. Eisenack did not describe the
type specimens as possessing collars, but he
stated that they had appendages about the
mouth. As many of our specimens have
what we interpret to be irregular remnants
of thin collars, we feel that these "appen-
dages" may be the structures Eisenack de-
scribed.
The basal spines on our Illinois specimens
are very fine and short and are seen only
with magnifications of lOOX or more. Most
of our specimens are well preserved but
somewhat distorted.
In addition to the Illinois and Baltic oc-
currences of C. micracantha, the species is
also known from the Ordovician Schiefer-
gebirges of western Germany (Rheinland).
The species is perhaps closest to C. prhni-
tiva, also from the Schiefergebirges, but the
latter does not possess spines. The basal
flattening of C. micracantha differentiates
it from C. dactylus.
Occurrence. — Interreef facies of the Mid-
dle Silurian Racine formation in the Mul-
ford Engineering Service— Thornton well,
sec. 34, T. 36 N., R. 14 E., Cook Co., 111.,
between depths of 120 and 160 feet.
Repository. — Illinois Geological Survey.
Explanation of Plate 2
All magnifications X135 except where otherwise noted.
Figs. 1-3 — Angochitina bifurcata CoUinson and Schwalb, n. sp. 1, natural longitudinal section of a para-
type with an incomplete collar; 2, natural transverse section of a paratype; 3, natural lon-
gitudinal section of the holotype showing collar, neck, and spines. All X205.
4-6 — Ampiillachitina laguncula Collinson and Schwalb, n. sp. 4, lateral view of a distorted paratype;
5, lateral view of the holotype showing neck, collar, and several spines; 6, lateral view of a
distorted paratype. All X205.
7-9 — Illichitina crotalum Collinson and Schwalb, n. sp. 7, slightly oblique lateral view of incom-
plete holotype showing bell-shaped chamber and cylindrical neck; 8, 9, lateral views of dis-
torted and incomplete paratypes, X205.
10 — Lagenochitina elongata Collinson and Schwalb, n. sp. Lateral view of the holotype showing
large open rupture in the chamber wall.
11-13 — Lagenochitina brevicervicata Collinson and Schwalb, n. sp. 11, 12, lateral views of two small
paratypes illustrating kinds of specific variation; 13, lateral view of the holotype which is
slightly distorted.
14, 15 — Angochitina flasca Collinson and Schwalb, n. sp. 14, lateral view of a relatively long paratype;
15, aboral oblique view of a paratype showing relatively small papilla.
16-19 — Conochitina dactylus Collinson and Schwalb, n. sp. 16, lateral view of a crushed paratype
showing undistorted aboral papilla; 17, lateral view of slightly crushed holotype with rem-
nants of a collar at the oral end; 18, lateral view of small paratype; 19, lateral view of largest
paratype.
20-22 — Conochitina micracantha Eisenack. 20, lateral view of specimen showing remnant of oral collar
and aboral papilla; 21, lateral view of relatively complete undistorted specimen with remnants
of oral collar; 22, lateral view of crushed specimen.
28
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURFED
Genus Ampullachitina Collinson and
Schwalb, n. gen.
Genotype: Ampullachitina laguncula
Collinson and Schwalb, n. sp.
One group of chitinozoan species, which
Eisenack referred to the genus Conochitbia,
have certain common characteristics. They
have a maximum diameter near the aboral
end. From there they taper rapidly for less
than half their total length, and the remain-
ing length consists of a long cylindrical or
subcylindrical neck. For this group of spe-
cies, we are proposing the generic name Am-
pullachitina. Ampullachitina laguncula , n.
sp. from the Lower Silurian in the Superior-
Ford C-17 well in southern Illinois is the
genotype. Like the genotype, species re-
ferred to this genus commonly possess spines
on the aboral part of the chamber. The fol-
lowing species should be referred to Ampul-
lachitina.
A. ancyrea (Eisenack) — Silurian Chon-
eteskalk of the East Prussia Baltic region.
A. diabolo (Eisenack) — Silurian of Bal-
tic region, Ordovician (E2) at Kozel and
Lodenitz in western Czechoslovakia, and
Middle Silurian of the Montagne Noire in
southern France.
A. fuugiformis (Eisenack) — Ordovician
of the East Prussia Baltic region and Si-
lurian e^ zone of Dlouha hora in western
Czechoslovakia.
A. kuckersiana (Eisenack) — Ordovician
Kuckers'schen Stufe of the East Prussia
Baltic region and the Middle Silurian of
the Montagne Noire in southern France.
A. metancyrea (Eisenack) — Silurian Bey-
richienkalk of the East Prussia Baltic re-
gion.
A. pistilliformis (Eisenack) — Silurian
Choneteskalk of the East Prussia Baltic re-
gion.
A. protancyrea (Eisenack) — Ordovician
Ostseekalk of the East Prussia Baltic re-
gion.
A. spinosa (Eisenack) — Silurian Crinoi-
denkalk of the East Prussia Baltic region.
Ampullachitina laguncula Collinson
and Schwalb, n. gen., n. sp.
Figure 9 ; plate 2, figures 4-6
Diagnosis. — Chamber subconical; termi-
nated orally by slightly expanded thin trans-
lucent collar at end of long cylindrical neck ;
terminated aborally by flat base fringed with
few fine spines; chamber wall thin and
translucent; external surface generally
smooth.
Remarks. — Four rather poorly preserved
individuals were recovered from hydro-
chloric-acid-insoluble residues of Lower Si-
lurian dolomite from the Superior-Ford
C-17 core (fig. 3). The least distorted and
most complete specimen (plate 2, fig. 5) is
designated the holotype; it is .075 mm. in
maximum diameter and .12 mm. long. The
diameter of the neck is about 1/3 that of
the chamber, and the diameter of the collar
is 1/2 that of the chamber. The neck and
collar are .025 and .037 mm. long, respec-
tively. Although most of the basal spines
of the holotype were broken during study
of the specimen (see fig. 9 for restoration),
two are still preserved; they are short, fine,
and slightly curved.
Fig. 9. — Diagrammatic representation of Ampulla-
chitina laguncula n. gen., n. sp. showing the
general shape of the genus, attachment of
the collar, and basal spines, X580.
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
29
Ampullachitina laguticula closely resem-
bles A, diabolo (Eisenack), which is known
from the Silurian of the East Prussia Baltic
region, the Ordovician of western Czecho-
slovakia, and the Middle Silurian of south-
ern France. The European species has very
coarse hollow spines which form extensions
of the chamber. Also, A. diabolo is broadly
rounded aborally rather than flattened. The
specific name laguucula (Latin) means "lit-
tle flask."
Occurrence. — Lower part of the Lower
Silurian Sexton Creek formation in the Su-
perior-Ford well C-17, sec. 27, T. 4 S., R.
14 W., White Co., 111., between depths of
6065 and 6070 feet.
Repository. — Illinois Geological Survey.
Genus Illichitina Collinson and Schwalb,
n. gen.
Genotype: Illichitina crotalum Collinson
and Schwalb, n. sp.
Like Ainpullachitina, Illichitina is pro-
posed for a number of species assigned to
Conochitina by Eisenack but which do not
belong to that genus as emended in this re-
port. Illichitina includes all species that
possess a shape reminiscent of a bell with
the large end closed and the small end open,
that is, with the maximum diameter at the
aboral end, tapering rapidly from that diam-
eter for a very short distance to form a
slight basal flare, then tapering gradually to
a cylindrical neck, but with a slight infla-
tion near the midlength. The species vary
greatly in their proportions, some being very
elongate, others short. A few species have
a fringe of basal spines. /. crotalum n. sp.
from the Lower Silurian Sexton Creek for-
mation in the Superior-Ford well C-17 is
the genotype.
The genus Illichitina is named for the
State of Illinois.
The following species are referable to
Illichitina.
I. calix (Eisenack) — Ordovician Ostsee-
kalk and Ordovician (Bo and Bo or C
zones) of East Prussia Baltic region; Or-
dovician Schiefergebirges of western Ger-
many (Rheinland).
/. canipanulaefor?nis (Eisenack) — Silu-
rian Choneteskalk of the East Prussia Bal-
tic region ; the Ordovician Schiefergebirges
of western Germany (Rheinland) ; the Or-
dovician at Sarka-Vokovice (D^^ and D^2
zones) and Prag along the Wilson-Bahnhof
(D;//2 zone) in western Czechoslovakia
(Bohemia).
I. cervicornis (Eisenack) — Silurian?
sandstone of East Prussia Baltic region.
I. coronata (Eisenack) — Ordovician Ost-
seekalk of East Prussia Baltic region.
/. elegans (Eisenack) — ^Silurian ? sand-
stone of East Prussia Baltic region.
Illichitina crotalum Collinson and
Schwalb, n. gen., n. sp.
Plate 2, figures 7-9
Diagnosis. — Chamber subconical with
maximum diameter at base, tapers rapidly
toward the oral end, very slightly flared at
aboral end; terminated orally by short thin
translucent collar at end of short cylindrical
neck; terminated aborally by flat base;
chamber wall rather thin, brown, and trans-
lucent; external surface very finely tuber-
culate.
Remarks. — The four known representa-
tives of this species were found in hydro-
chloric-acid-insoluble residues from the
Lower Silurian Sexton Creek formation of
southern Illinois. The holotype (plate 2,
fig. 7) is well preserved, although both the
collar and base are incomplete. The speci-
men is .15 mm. in maximum diameter and
.18 mm. long, and the neck is about .012
mm. long and .047 mm. in diameter. The
mouth of the chamber appears to be simple
and smooth. The collar appears to have
been about .015 mm. long. There is no
evidence of a diaphragm.
Each of the three paratypes is distorted,
incomplete, and smaller than the holotype,
averaging about .12 mm. in length. The
species was found associated with Ampulla-
chitina laguncula and numerous scoleco-
donts. The species closely resembles /. cam-
panulaeformis (Eisenack) from the Silurian
of the East Prussia Baltic region and the
Ordovician of Germany and Czechoslo-
30
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURFEY
vakia. However, the European species has
a relatively long neck and a distinct basal
flare.
The specific name crotalum (Latin)
means "bell."
Occurre?ice. — Common in the lower part
of the Lower Silurian Sexton Creek forma-
tion in the Superior-Ford well C-17, sec. 27,
T. 4 S., R. 14 W., White Co., 111., be-
tween depths of 6065 and 6070 feet.
Repository. — Illinois Geological Survey.
Genus Rhabdochitina Eisenack, 1931
Genotype: Rhabdochitina magna Eisenack
Figure 51
This genus was given wide limits by
Eisenack. It includes species that are very
long, tubular, and terminated in almost any
manner. Some species included in the genus
by Eisenack have basal bulbs, others arc
broadly rounded or flat, and some have a
basal flare. In addition to the genotype,
which is from the Ordovician Ostseekalk
of the East Prussia Baltic region, the fol-
lowing species have been assigned to the
genus.
R. canna DeFlandre — Middle Silurian
limestone of the Montagne Noire in south-
ern France.
R. conocephala Eisenack — Silurian Kuck-
ers'schen Stufe of the East Prussia Baltic
region.
R. ? ininnesotensis Stauffer — Middle Or-
dovician Decorah formation of southern
Minnesota.
R. cf. pistilUforjnis Eisenack — Ordivi-
cian (D^]^ zone) of western Czechoslo-
vakia (Bohemia).
R. pistillifrons Eisenack — Ordovician
Schiefergebirges of western Germany
(Rheinland).
R.^ taenia Eisenack — Silurian? of East
Prussia Baltic region.
Rhabdochitina ? minnesotensis
Stauffer
Figure 10
Diagnosis. — Of this species Stauffer wrote
(1933, p. 1209) "Body elongate, subcylin-
FiG. 10. — The holotype of Rhabdochitina ? minne-
sotensis Stauffer from the Middle Ordo-
vician Decorah formation of southern
Minnesota. Adapted from Stauffer
(1933), X82.
drical in outline, although it tapers slightly
towards the proximal end, suggesting the
outline of a baseball bat. Terminal, or dis-
tal, end is smooth and rounded, but some
specimens show a small elevation with a
flattened apex. Proximal end is slightly
smaller and probably had some means of at-
tachment. Surface of the test is smooth,
shiny, and black."
Remarks. — Although we have not seen
the types of this species, we are including
the description for the sake of completeness.
Occurrence. — "Lower part of the De-
corah (Middle Ordovician) shale, 5 feet
above the base of the formations. Ford
Bridge, Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the
shale just above the 'marble layer,' 41/2 f^^t
above the base of the Decorah shale, Lieb
Quarry, Faribault, Minnesota."
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
31
Holotype. — Geological Museum, Univer-
sity of Minnesota, B4233.
Family Desmochitinidae Eisenack
(1931)
This family includes bubble- or flask-
shaped individuals commonly united to form
chains. The most-aboral chamber was sug-
gested by Eisenack to be the parent of the
succeeding individuals that arose by budding
from the parent. Since little is actually
known of the Desmochitinidae, w^e are using
the term chain to designate two or more in-
dividuals that are united. Individuals of
most species are interconnected by a basal
disc to which we are applying the term
flange. The flange is attached to the cham-
ber by a rod-like process which Eisenack
designated the copula. Some species, how-
ever, possess only a thick copula and no
flange. Others have neither flange nor cop-
ula.
Genus Desmochitina Eisenack, 1931
Genotype: Desmochitina nodosa Eisenack
Figure 5F
Eisenack described this genus as having
the same characteristics as the family. It
and Conochitina are the two most common
genera known. In addition to the genotype
which is known from the Silurian of the
East Prussia Baltic region the foHowing
species have been referred to Desmochitina:
D. amphorea Eisenack — Silurian? of East
Prussia Baltic region.
Z).? bohemica Eisenack — Upper Silurian
of western Czechoslovakia (Bohemia).
D. cingulata Eisenack — Silurian ? of the
East Prussia Baltic region.
Z).? cocca Eisenack — Ordovician Ostsee-
kalk? of East Prussia Baltic region.
D.? complanata Eisenack — Ordovician?
of East Prussia Baltic region.
/).? erinacea Eisenack — Ordovician (B3
or C zone) of East Prussia Baltic region.
D. erratica Eisenack — Silurian Grapto-
lithengestein of the East Prussia Baltic re-
gion.
D.? gigantea Eisenack — Ordovician
(D^i zone) of Sarka in western Czechoslo-
vakia (Bohemia).
D. margaritana Eisenack — From the Si-
lurian? of the East Prussia Baltic region.
Z).? minor Eisenack — Ordovician Ostsee-
kalk of East Prussia Baltic region; Ordo-
vician (D;//i and V>^p2. zones) at Sarka and
Svota Dobrotina in western Czechoslovakia
(Bohemia) ; Ordovician Schiefergebirges of
western Germany (Rheinland).
D. ex. af¥. minor Eisenack — Ordovician
Schiefergebirges of western Germany
(Rheinland).
D. poculum n. sp. — Lower Devonian Bai-
ley formation of southern Illinois.
D. rhenana Eisenack — Ordovician Schief-
ergebirges of western Germany (Rhein-
land).
Z).? lima Eisenack — Silurian? of East
Prussia Baltic region; Silurian (E^ or Ea
zone) of western Czechoslovakia (Bohe-
mia) ; Silurian of the Montagne Noire of
southern France.
2).? sp. A. Eisenack — Ordovician (D^/.^
zone) of Sarka in western Czechoslovakia
(Bohemia).
D.? sp. B. Eisenack — Ordovician (D^g
zone) of Svota Dobrotina, western Czecho-
slovakia (Bohemia).
Desmochitina poculum Collinson and
Schwalb, n. sp.
Figure 11
Diagnosis. — Chamber subspherical, de-
pressed; terminated orally by simple mouth;
terminated aborally by flange at end of
short copula; chamber wall thin and
opaque; external surface smooth (fig. IIC).
Remarks. — Only three representatives of
this species are known, and all are preserved
as natural cross sections in white chert. All
came from the Lower Devonian Bailey for-
mation in a well in southern Illinois. Two
of the specimens are single individuals and
the third is a somewhat distorted chain of
two complete chambers and a portion of a
third {fig. IIA). The larger of the two
single individuals is designated the holotype
(fig. IIB) and it is .07 mm. in maximum
32
ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Fig. 11. — Desmochitina poculum n. sp. (A) repre-
sents a natural longitudinal section of an
incomplete chain showing two complete
chambers and part of a third, X305; (B)
represents a natural longitudinal section
of the holotype, X390; (C) is a diagram-
matic reconstruction based on the holo-
type and two paratypes, approx. X300.
diameter and .07 mm. long. The copula is
.012 mm. long and the flange is .025 mm.
in diameter. The diameter of the mouth is
about 1/3 that of the chamber. Several
chains of distorted and unidentifiable rep-
resentatives of Desmochitina are associated
with D. poculum along with great num-
bers of Angochitina bij areata. D. poculum
is similar to D. jiiargaritana Eisenack from
the Silurian? of the East Prussia Baltic re-
gion in that neither species possesses a neck.
However, the chamber of the European spe-
cies is not depressed and its copula is rela-
tively long.
The specific name poculum (Latin)
means "goblet" or "bowl."
Occurrence. — Lower Devonian Bailey
formation in F. Lyrler-Baysinger well 1,
sec. 32, T. 10 S., R. 3 W., Jackson Co., 111.,
between depths of 270 and 275 feet.
Repository. — Illinois Geological Survey.
Desmochitina sp.
Figure 12
Several representatives of Desmochitina
have been identified although none are suf-
ficiently well preserved to be diagnosed spe-
cifically. All are preserved in white chert
from the Lower Devonian Bailey formation
in the following wells: 1) Shell Oil Co.-
Ragan well 1, sec. 28, T. 2 S., R. 1 E., Jef-
ferson Co., 111., between depths of 3907 and
3910 feet; 2) F. Lvrler-Baysinger well 1,
sec. 32, T. 10 S., R. 3 W., Jackson Co., 111.,
between depths of 270 and 275 feet.
Repository. — Illinois Geological Survey.
Genus Mirachitina Eisenack, 1931
Genotype : Mirachitina quadrupedis
Eisenack
Figure 5D
This genus deviates from normal chitino-
zoan symmetry and therefore is included
here with some doubt. The genus is mono-
specific and, as interpreted by us, the geno-
type M. quadrupedis Eisenack consists of
a main cylindrical chamber which is rounded
aborally and possesses a small papilla. At
the oral end of the main chamber, four sub-
sidiary chambers are attached at about
120° to the axis of the main chamber and
at 90° to each other. The genotype is from
Silurian? limestone of the East Prussia
Baltic area.
Genus Parachitina Eisenack, 1937
Genotype : Parachitina curvata Eisenack
Figure 5G
This genus, like Mirachitina, departs
from normal chitinozoan symmetry and is
included here with uncertainty. The genus
is monospecific and includes U-shaped speci-
mens which have an inflated abdomen and
two tapering shanks which end bluntly.
The genotype is from the Silurian ? of the
East Prussia Baltic region.
Fig. 12.
-Natural longitudinal section oi Desmochi-
tina sp. from the Lower Devonian Bailey
formation of southern Illinois, X320.
REFERENCES
33
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