Conulariid research

conulariid

Beautifully-preserved example of the conulariid Conularia breviconventa from the Wenlock of Dudley, Worcestershire, England

Principal Investigators

Project summary

Focus: Conulariid taxonomy and palaeobiology

 

We are undertaking research into various aspects of conulariid taxonomy and palaeobiology, including the microstructure of the shell and developmental loss of symmetry.

This research highlights the scientific value of our conulariid collection, which is the second largest in the world and unrivalled in terms of diversity and geographical spread.

Conulariids are an extinct group of jellyfish with pyramidal skeletons of calcium phosphate that are locally abundant in Palaeozoic sediments.

Origins, evolution and futures

We study the Earth's origins and environment, and the evolution of life.

Invertebrate and plant palaeobiology research

We are investigating the origins and evolution of these diverse fossil groups.

Palaeontology collections

The geographic, stratigraphic and historical coverage of fossils in the collection make it globally important.