Archaeolithophyllum Explained

Archaeolithophyllum is a genus of conceptacle-bearing red alga that falls in the coralline stem group. It somewhat resembles Lithophyllum.^{[1] [2]}

As of today, Archaeolithophyllum is the only Palaeozoic coralline to bear clear conceptacles,^[3] although the earlier Graticula does bear reproductive structures.^[4]

It mineralized using aragonite. Its conceptacles are cone-shaped protrusions that extend outwards from the thallus surface and have a single central opening. It probably encrusted muddy or sandy surfaces.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Harlan Johnson . J. . Archaeolithophyllum, a new genus of Paleozoic Coralline algae . 1300377 . Journal of Paleontology . 30 . 1 . 53–55 . 1956 .
2. Xiao . S. . Knoll . A. H. . Yuan . X. . Pueschel . C. M. . Phosphatized multicellular algae in the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation, China, and the early evolution of florideophyte red algae . American Journal of Botany . 91 . 2 . 214–227 . 2004 . 21653378 . 10.3732/ajb.91.2.214. free .
3. Cozar . P. . Vachard . D. . A new Mississippian red alga from south-western Spain . Geobios . 39 . 6 . 791 . 2006 . 10.1016/j.geobios.2005.09.002.
4. Brooke . C. . Riding . R. . Ordovician and Silurian coralline red algae . Lethaia . 31 . 3 . 185 . 1998. 10.1111/j.1502-3931.1998.tb00506.x.
5. Kansas Geological Survey Bulletin. 170. 1. 1964. Archaeolithophyllum, an Abundant Calcareous Alga in Limestones of the Lansing Group (Pennsylvanian), Southeastern Kansas. John L. Wray.