A new species of sea pens, Graphularia transaedina sp. n., from the Korytnica Clays (Middle Miocene; Holy Cross Mountains, Central Poland)

Abstract

The Middle Miocene (Badenian) Korytnica Clays exposed within the Korytnica Basin (southern slopes of the Holy Cross Mountains, Central Poland) yielded a rich assemblage of the sea pens. All the collected material, composed of the fragmented axial rods of endoskeletons, belongs to a new species, Graphularia transaedina sp. n. An analysis of the microstructure allowed to discuss a relation of the investigated species and other representatives of the extinct genus GraphuIaria MILNE-EDWARDS & HAIME, 1850, to the Recent pennatulacean octocorals