Selected benthic faunas from the Devonian of the Ardennes: an estimation of palaeobiodiversity

A survey of the principal benthic faunas from the Devonian of the Ardennes is presented. The alpha-diversity is very high ( 707 species, including 138 species of stromatoporoids, 113 species of tabulates, hydroids and chaetetids, and 456 species of brachiopods). Analysis of their distribution through time indicates two brachiopod diversity peaks ( Emsian/Eifelian and Frasnian), a single stromatoporoid diversity peak ( Givetian), and no clear peak of tabulate corals ( with the highest diversification during the Eifelian - Frasnian). The highest diversity of bioconstructors in the Givetian corre... Mehr ...