Cambrian carnage: Trilobite predator-prey interactions in the Emu Bay Shale of South Australia

Bicknell, Russell D. C.; Holmes, James D.; Pates, Stephen; García‐Bellido, Diego C.; Paterson, John R.

doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.110877

Cited by 17 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…These specimens therefore show examples of injuries (Owen, 1985; Babcock, 1993; Pates et al, 2017; Bicknell et al, 2021b) that occurred through failed predation, a molting complication, or some other traumatic injury. Trilobites with overdeveloped thoracic spines, e.g., Nevadia weeksi (Walcott, 1910), likely experienced molting complications and would have damaged the hypertrophied spines (Conway Morris and Jenkins, 1985; Bicknell et al, 2022). The examined specimens lack these morphologies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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New records of injured Cambrian and Ordovician trilobites

2022

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Records of abnormal fossil arthropods present important insight into how extinct forms responded to traumatic damage and developmental complications. Trilobites, bearing biomineralized dorsal exoskeletons, have arguably the most well-documented record of abnormalities spanning the Cambrian through the end-Permian. As such, new records of malformed, often injured, trilobites are occasionally identified. To further expand the documentation of abnormal specimens, we describe malformed specimens of Lyriaspis sigillum Whitehouse, 1939, Zacanthoides sp. indet., Asaphiscus wheeleri Meek, 1873, Elrathia kingii (Meek, 1870), and Ogygiocarella debuchii (Brongniart, 1822) from lower Paleozoic deposits. In considering these forms, we propose that they illustrate examples of injuries, and that the majority of these injuries reflect failed predation. We also considered the origin of injuries impacting singular segments, suggesting that these could reflect predation, self-induced damage, or intraspecific interactions during soft-shelled stages. Continued examination of lower Paleozoic trilobite injuries will further the understanding of how trilobites functioned as prey and elucidate how disparate trilobite groups recovered from failed attacks.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Explanations for SSIs are therefore worth considering. When SSIs are observed with larger injuries on the opposing side (Conway Morris and Jenkins, 1985; Nedin, 1999; Bicknell et al, 2022), they likely reflect a bilateral predatory attack. When SSIs are not identified with larger injuries, further explanation is needed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New records of injured Cambrian and Ordovician trilobites

2022

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“…This is evidence by the recorded in malformed and injured specimens ( Owen, 1985 ). These injuries provide insight into Paleozoic predation strategies, predator–prey interactions, evolution of trilobite morphology and behavior, and Paleozoic foodwebs ( Babcock & Robison, 1989 ; Babcock, 1993 ; Babcock, 2003 ; Babcock, 2007 ; Nedin, 1999 ; Brett & Walker, 2002 ; Brett, 2003 ; Bicknell & Paterson, 2018 ; Bicknell et al, 2022a ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While there have been rare instances of accidental injuries ( Rudkin, 1985 ), the majority injured Cambrian and Ordovician trilobites are attributed to failed predation ( Owen, 1985 ; Babcock, 1993 ; Bicknell & Paterson, 2018 ; Bicknell et al, 2021 ; Bicknell et al, 2022a ). Within this fossil record, most injured specimens show unilaterally expressed injuries ( Babcock, 1993 ; Bicknell & Paterson, 2018 and their references), with rarer evidence of multiple injuries across the exoskeleton ( e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within this fossil record, most injured specimens show unilaterally expressed injuries ( Babcock, 1993 ; Bicknell & Paterson, 2018 and their references), with rarer evidence of multiple injuries across the exoskeleton ( e.g. , Šnajdr, 1979 ; Conway Morris & Jenkins, 1985 ; Ou et al, 2009 ; Pates & Bicknell, 2019 ; Bicknell & Holland, 2020 ; Bicknell & Pates, 2020 ; Bicknell et al, 2021 ; Bicknell et al, 2022a ). Determining whether specimens with multiple injuries record one or multiple failed attacks is complex.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A new bilaterally injured trilobite presents insight into attack patterns of Cambrian predators

Zong

Bicknell

2022

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Durophagous predation in the Cambrian is typically recorded as malformed shells and trilobites, with rarer evidence in the form of coprolites and shelly gut contents. Reporting novel evidence for shell-crushing further expands the understanding of where and when in the Cambrian durophagy was present. To expand the current documentation and present new records of malformed trilobites from the Cambrian of China, we present an injured Redlichia (Pteroredlichia) chinensis from the lower Cambrian Balang Formation, western Hunan, South China. The specimen has two distinct injuries along the thorax. The injuries show different degrees of regeneration, suggesting that the specimen was attacked twice. We propose that the individual may have been targeted more readily for the second attack. This predatory approach would have been highly energy efficient, maximizing net energy gain during the attack.

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