AZC 46 Supplement (2003)

Issue:

VOL NA

Keywords:

Lower Toarcian, Jurassic, insects, Germany, Europe, palaeobiogeography, palaeoecology, taphonomy

Download PDF

Share this article:

Insects from the Lower Toarcian of Middle Europe and England

• Jörg ANSORGE

Abstract:

Lower Toarcian insect localities of Middle Europe and England are reviewed. The insects come from carbonate concretions (falciferum zone) which are intercalated in Northern Germany within the marine clay of the “Green Series” and elsewhere in the Posidonia Shale. Beside one spider and one scorpion, insects of 21 orders were recognized. The species composition of the different insect taphocoenoses is very similar, differences exist only in the composition of the Fulgoromorpha (Homoptera: Auchenorrhyncha), which may indicate a kind of provincialism. Palaeobiogeographical, palaeoecological and taphonomical problems are discussed. Apart from a number of taphonomical filters, the distance to the shore line is the most delimiting factor for the composition of marine taphocoenoses. A faunal exchange between Laurasia and Gondwana was possible in the Lower Jurassic.