Tetragraptus approximatus

Tetragraptus approximatus is a species of dichograptid graptolite belonging to the genus Tetragraptus. It existed during the Floian Age (477.1 million years ago) of the Ordovician. It is an important index fossil in biostratigraphy.

Tetragraptus approximatus Temporal range: Floian PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Illustration of Tetragraptus approximatus
Original illustrations of Tetragraptus approximatus by Nicholson (1873). At the top is a magnified section of the stipes. A complete specimen is illustrated below.
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Hemichordata
Class:	Pterobranchia
Order:	†Graptoloidea
Family:	†Dichograptidae
Genus:	†Tetragraptus
Species:	†T. approximatus
Binomial name
†Tetragraptus approximatus Nicholson, 1873

Description

The general outline of each Tetragraptus approximatus colony (rhabdosome) is highly distinctive. It resembles a long narrow letter H or X. The central process (the funicle) is about 2.5 mm (0.098 in) long, each end bifurcating at right angles with each other. Each pair of branches (stipes) curve away sharply from the ends of the funicle then run more or less parallel with each other at a distance of 5 to 8 mm (0.20 to 0.31 in) apart. Each of the stipes can reach more than 45 mm (1.8 in) in length, with approximately ten cup-like structures (thecae) for every 10 mm (0.39 in) of the stipes. The thecae are tilted at a 45° angle to the axis.^[1][2]

Taxonomy

Tetragraptus approximatus is classified under the genus Tetragraptus of the family Dichograptidae.^[3][4] It was first described by the British paleontologist Henry Alleyne Nicholson in 1873 from specimens recovered from Lévis, Quebec, Canada.^[2]

Distribution

Tetragraptus approximatus is found worldwide. It has been identified in graptoliferous rocks from Australia, New Zealand, Canada (Newfoundland), the United States (Texas), Kazakhstan, Russia (Taimyr), China, South America, Norway, and Sweden. It is unknown, however, in areas which lack coeval graptoliferous rocks like the United Kingdom, Spitsbergen, and Africa.^[5]

Biostratigraphy

Tetragraptus approximatus is used in biostratigraphy as an index fossil. Its first appearance at the GSSP section of the Diabasbrottet Quarry in Västergötland, Sweden is defined as the beginning of the Floian Age (477.1 million years ago) of the Ordovician.^[5]