Gąbki wapienne Elasmostoma lomes W. Mliller, 1984, z dolnego kimerydu Karsów koło Korytnicy, ich ekofenotypia i tafonomia

Calcareous sponges Elastostoma !'omes W MUller, 1984, from the Lower Kimmeridgian marly onkolitic limestones exposed at Karsy in the Holy Cross Mountains, Central Poland, are studied in terms of their settlement, growth, behaviour, and resulting phenotypy. The lichen-shaped auriculate specimens are interpreted as growing upwardly, at a higher angle to the bottom surface, in order to involve passive flow carrying suspended nutrients up on which they fed. Unstable bottom and hydrodynamie conditions, under which the growth of sponges progressed, we re basic prerequisites that controlled ecophenotypic variability of the studied specimens, A peculiar case of regeneration is discussed, to postulaie the skeleton parts having been lithified during the sponge's life, and healed after an accidental injury. Aviolent event that caused catastrophic burial of the studied sponge assemblage is ascribed to high-energy agents, most likely of storm origin.