Hardy, Peter G. & Broadhurst, Frederick M. 1978 04 IS: Refugee communities ofCarbonirola
Sparse elongate forms of the non‐marine bivalve Carbonirola are associated with an abundance of trace fossils comprising resting traces (Cubichnia) referable to Lockeia, trails (Repichnia) and escape shafts (Fugichnia), all in arenaceous sediments of the Upper Carboniferous. Associated organic‐rich argillaceous sediments contain the well‐known, abundant and highly variable Carbonirola body fossil faunas. The latter we interpret (in common with other workers) as the remains of shells preserved in what was the typical life environment (characterized by muddy sediments and slow rates of sedimentation). The elongate shells associated with escape shafts we interpret as the only form of Carbonicola capable of escape upwards from burial by rapid sedimentation. For such fugitives from preexisting ‘established communities’ we propose the term ‘refugee community’.
In May 1971, an ornithological census was taken, and samples of soil and marine invertebrates collected, on St. Paul's Rocks-an isolated group of small islands in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Fish were caught nearby. Crabs (Crapsusgrapsus) were abundant on the Rocks and rock pools contained anthozoa, polychaetes, crustacea and gastropods-a marine invertebrate fauna apparently closely related to that of Brazil. Specimens of four species of fish were obtained including one of Holocenmtm sanctipauli, a species endemic to the Rocks.Protozoa, nematodes, bdelloid rotifen and cuticles of cryptostigmatid mites were found in the soil; most of the species identified were microbial feeders with a cosmopolitan distribution. The only terrestrial flora observed were green and blue-green algae and a nematode-predacious fungus, continuous sea-spray upon the Rocks preventing the growth of higher plants. Breeding populations of brown boobies and black and brown noddies were observed and counted. The presence of all life-cycle stages of the booby suggested that its.breeding is seasonal.
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