Wenlock epoch
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Axis scale: millions of years ago.
In the geological timescale, the Wenlock epoch (from to ) occurred during the Silurian period, after the end of the Telychian stage.
The Wenlock epoch is subdivided into two stages: Sheinwoodian and Homerian.
The Wenlock epoch has excellent preservations of at least 600 species of brachiopod, Osteostraci, coral, trilobite, clam, bryozoan, and crinoid fossils.
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[edit] Climate
The weather during the Wenlock is classified as being dry.
[edit] Naming
The Wenlock epoch is named after Wenlock Edge in Shropshire, England, along with Much Wenlock. The name 'Wenlock' is believed to be a corruption of the Welsh name 'White Church' for the town because of its white church, as it was made from local Silurian limestone. So, while the rocks are named after the town, the town itself was named for the colour of the rock.
[edit] First appearances
- During the Wenlock, the oldest known tracheophytes of the genus Cooksonia, appear. The complexity of slightly younger Gondwana plants like Baragwanathia indicates either a much longer history for vascular plants, perhaps extending into the early Silurian or even Ordovician.
- Further information: Evolutionary history of plants
- Cyrtograptus centrifugus appeared
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| Silurian period | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Llandovery | Wenlock | Ludlow | Pridoli |
| Rhuddanian | Aeronian Telychian |
Sheinwoodian | Homerian | Gorstian | Ludfordian | |
