150 PALAEONTOLOGy declined condition, ¢.g., D. nicolsoni. Deflexed condition showed further divergence of the stipes from each other e.g., Leptograptus. Maximum divergence was in D. hirundo in which the two stipes were horizontal. From this point, convergence of the stipes started and the stipes came towards each, other and theca were in opposite directions, the first stage of convergence ig known as reflexed condition, ¢.g., D. patuius. D. gibberulus exhibits the second Stage of convergence, the reclined condition. Maximum convergence Tesulted in the union of stipes to give rise to biserial colony and scandent condition in Which theca face upwards, e.g..Diplograptus (Upper Ordovician). The changes ‘were rapid and resulted in the extinction of the class Graptozoa (fig. 15.4). Geological Distribution The graptozoans were exclusively marine and bottom-living. Their fossils are found in carbonaceous shales and clayey rocks. Their geological history is ‘very short, while their geographical distribution is very wide. They exhibited rapid evolutionary changes and therefore, they are good index fossils. Simple dendroid forms were in Middle Cambrian, ‘Their number increased in Ordovician and Silurian. From Silurian onwards, their number reduced and by the carly Mississipian they become extinct. Typical graptolites appeared in Upper Cambrian e.g., Bryograptus, Dicranograptus, Dictyonema. During Lower Ordovician times, horizontal forms appeared e.g. Dichograptus, along with pendent forms like D, bifids and reclined forms and scandent forms (Glyptograptus and Nemagraptus|. Upper Ordovician times contain Climatograptus,, Mesograptus, Pleurograptus and Dicellograptus. Silurian times Were marked by Orthograptus, Cephalograptus and Monograptus. "This period was long marked by hooked, lobate and isolated theca. Middle Silurian beds Some Important Fossils @ Monograptus—Straight, unbranched, uniserial rhabdosome ; Theca are Cbliquely and are of various shapes, closely placed, ilu . 15.1 uniserial form), neve “phos Agen. Cel G2) Diplograptus—Two rows of close! i (i I T so! 'Y spaced, oblique curved theca attached to single stipe. Age—Mid Ordovician to Lower Silurian (fig. 15.1 biserial form). a? Pidymograptus—Rhabdosome bilaterally Symmetrical with two stipes verging upto an angle of 180°, giving fork like appearance, small sicula, Cylindrical theca direct obliquely, Age—Ordovician to Silurian () Bryograptus—Bilaterally symmetrical, uniserial wi in sti diverging at an angle from the ae cabana Wich too main’ stipes Scanned with CamScanner