Dissecting the global diversity trajectory of an enigmatic group: The paleogeographic history of tentaculitoids

摘要: Abstract Tentaculitoids have long been recognized as a problematic group that diversified taxonomically and expanded geographically through much of the Ordovician–Devonian, only to become extinct toward end Devonian. Perhaps because uncertainties about their biological affinities, there has never definitive study diversity trajectories tentaculitoids at either global or regional scales, paleoecological analyses are almost entirely lacking in literature. Here, we present much-expanded, paleogeographically-resolved database for tentaculitoids, which use first-ever assessment history paleogeographic context. The new data suggest an increase standing-diversity peak Devonian 30 genera, preceded by Silurian radiation appears focused mainly Baltoscandia. Because most Baltoscandian were derived from single bibliographic source, possibility cannot be ruled out this concentration primarily reflects monographic bias. continued was broad-based, however, recognizable several venues worldwide. Furthermore, whereas previous investigations suggested temporal transition could between major tentaculitoid orders—Tentaculitida—thought dominate Ordovician Silurian, Dacryoconarida Homoctenida—thought radiate Devonian—the point broader overlap groups. Coupled with information differences life habits, would appear rule any three groups ever direct competition.