Klerf_Formation

Klerf Formation

Klerf Formation

Early Devonian formation with fossil Lagerstätte

The Klerf Formation is an Early Devonian (Emsian) formation that includes a Lagerstätte in the Northern Eifel hills, at Willwerath near Prüm, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. In it Jaekelopterus rhenaniae, a giant eurypterid was discovered. The Klerf Formation, comprising greenish and reddish shales, siltstones and sandstones, was first described in 1919 by Rudolf Richter (1881-1957) and reaches a maximum thickness of about 1,300 metres (4,300 ft).[1] It is part of Alken quarry along with Nellenköpfchen Formation.[2]

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Depositional environment

The siltstone and sandstone formation was deposited in an estuarine to deltaic environment.[3] This was located on the edge of Avalonia bordering the Proto-Tethys Ocean.

Fossil content

Restoration of J. rhenaniae

Apart from the largest arthropod, Jaekelopterus rhenaniae, found in the formation, it also preserved other eurypterids (Adelophthalmus sievertsi, Parahughmilleria hefteri, Rhenopterus diensti, Pruemopterus salgadoi, Erieopterus sp.),[4] possible xiphosuran (Willwerathia),[5] terrestrial arachnids (Devonotarbus hombachensis, Xenarachne willwerathensis),[6][7] some fish, bryozoa, brachiopod and ostracod remains,[1] Mutationella indet. and flora.[8]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    Lithostratigraphische Einheiten Deutschlands: Klerf Formation
  2. [2]
    Poschmann, Markus; Braddy, Simon J. (2010). "Eurypterid trackways from Early Devonian tidal facies of Alken an der Mosel (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge, Germany)". Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments. 90 (2): 111–124. doi:10.1007/s12549-010-0024-2. ISSN 1867-1594.
  3. [3]
    Willwerath at Fossilworks.org
  4. [4]
    Poschmann, Markus J. (2021-03-01). "A new sea scorpion (Arthropoda, Eurypterida) from the Early Devonian of Willwerath (Rhineland-Palatinate, SW Germany)". PalZ. 95 (1): 17–26. doi:10.1007/s12542-020-00519-6. ISSN 1867-6812.
  5. [5]
    Anderson, Lyall I.; Poschmann, Markus; Brauckmann, Carsten (1998). "On the Emsian (Lower Devonian) arthropods of the Rhenish Slate Mountains: 2. The synziphosurine Willwerathia". Paläontologische Zeitschrift. 72 (3–4): 325–336. doi:10.1007/BF02988363. ISSN 0031-0220. S2CID 128464147.
  6. [6]
    Dunlop, Jason A.; Poschmann, Markus (1997-09-01). "On the Emsian (Lower Devonian) arthropods of the Rhenish Schiefergebirge: 1.Xenarachne, an enigmatic arachnid from Willwerath, Germany". Paläontologische Zeitschrift. 71 (3): 231–236. doi:10.1007/BF02988492.
  7. [7]
    Poschmann, Markus; Anderson, Lyall I.; Dunlop, Jason A. (2005). "Chelicerate Arthropods, including the Oldest Phalangiotarbid Arachnid, from the Early Devonian (Siegenian) of the Rhenish Massif, Germany". Journal of Paleontology. 79 (1): 110–124. ISSN 0022-3360.
  8. [8]
    Klerf Formation at Fossilworks.org
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