Morphology and classification of some Early Silurian monograptids (Graptoloidea) from the Cape Phillips Formation, Canadian Arctic Islands
Exquisitely preserved early to mid-Llandovery monograptids have been chemically isolated from calcareous concretions sampled from the Cape Phillips Formation, central Canadian Arctic Archipelago. They provide morphological information critical in refining the definition of four of the earliest known monograptid genera, and in the elucidation of their phylogenetic dispersal through the Llandovery monograptid radiation. These primitive monograptid genera are defined primarily on the basis of derived thecal form. The specific, derived thecal and thecal apertural character states used in generic diagnoses are as follows: species of Atavograptus possess simple, geniculate to slightly sigmoidal thecae with a large dorsoventral overlap; species of Pribylograptus possess thecae bearing lateral apertural lappets that may occur with Atavograptus-style thecae proximally; species of Coronograptus possess flared thecal apertures at least part way along the rhabdosome; species of Lagarograptus have conspicuous, tongue-...