NAME Ornatifilum granulatum
AGE Late Ordovician to Early Devonian.   AGE span: 460.9...397.5 mya
K&J CLASSIFICATION (2000) Fungi Imperfecti, Mycelia Sterilia.
FIGURE(S)
Image of
Pl.30fig.11.jpg
FIGURE REFERENCE Burgess ND, Edwards D. 1991. Classification of uppermost Ordovician to Lower Devonian tubular and filamentous macerals from the Anglo-Welsh Basin; Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, v. 106, p. 41-66.
SPECIES, AUTHORITY O. granulatum Burgess & Edwards 1991, sp. 60, fig. 55.
LOCATION Anglo-Welsh Basin, Great Britain.
ORIG DESCRIPTION* Flattened filaments, generally branch at obtuse angles and are externally ornamented with grana of maximum density at branch points. Cells 2.5-10 µm in diameter and 25-100 µm long.

Filaments are composed of elongate cells with wall ca. 1 µm thick. Branches are 25-120 µm apart and usually arranged at obtuse angles (figs. 57, 58), but may be at acute angles. Septa are positioned every 40-150 µm and appear imperforate. They are present at branch points (figs. 57, 58) and between branches, where they may be associated with a constriction (figs. 56, 59). Externally the filament is ornamented with irregularly sized grana (fig. 55), generally of maximum density around branch points.
COMMENTS* The putative ascomycete fungal remains described from the Ludlow of Gotland by Sherwood-Pike & Gray (1985) have a similar diameter, branching pattern, internal septa and external ornament of grana. They differ in that their ornament is evenly distributed over the entire filament surface, the filament is not constricted at the position of septa, and short determinate side branches are present. However, such similarities may indicate a similar source for Ornatifilum granulatum. Filaments have also been described by Pratt et al. (1978) from the Massanutten Sandstone of Virginia, USA. These differ in lacking external ornament and possessing flask-shaped lateral branches, resembling those of fungi. Ornatifilum granulatum also resembles the filamentous tissue of certain nematophytaleans (Prototaxites Dawson 1859. and Nematasketum Burgess & Edwards 1988), although these have never been recorded with granulate ornament.

Derivation: granulatus-with granules.
PUBLICATION REFERENCE Burgess ND, Edwards D. 1991. Classification of uppermost Ordovician to Lower Devonian tubular and filamentous macerals from the Anglo-Welsh Basin; Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, v. 106, p. 41-66.
K&J REMARKS
TYPE
ALL NAMES (Including synonyms) Ornatifilum granulatum
SERIAL NUMBER 1170
PUBLIC COMMENTS
 *For source, see Publication Reference.