Understanding Paleocommunities from the Ordovian, Silurian, Devonian, and Mississippian
Stephanie Konfal
Department of Geology and Geography
Denison University, Granville, Ohio 43023
Abstract
Accounts of Paleozoic communities are defined for the Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, and Mississippian periods. These community analyses show an onshore-offshore trend of mollusc-rich fauna dominating inner to middle shelf regions, and brachiopod-rich fauna dominating middle to outer shelf regions. By understanding the relationship between environment and association, interpretations as to large-scale, long-term processes can be made.