Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous stalked barnacles (Cirripedia, genus Eolepas Withers, 1928) from Štramberk, Moravia (Czech Republic)

Global biodiversity patterns in deep time can only be understood fully when the relative preservation potential of each clade is known. The relative preservation potential of marine arthropod clades, a diverse and ecologically important component of modern and past ecosystems, is poorly known. We tackled this issue by carrying out a 205-day long comprehensive, comparative, taphonomic experiment in a laboratory by scoring up to ten taphonomic characters for multiple specimens of seven crustacean and one chelicerate species (two true crabs, one shrimp, one lobster, one hermit crab, one stomatopod, one barnacle and one horseshoe crab). Although the results are preliminary because we used a single experimental setup and algal growth partially hampered observations, some parts of hermit crabs, stomatopods, swimming crabs and barnacles decayed slowly relative to other parts, implying differential preservation potentials within species, largely consistent with the fossil record of these groups. An inferred parasitic isopod, manifested by a bopyriform swelling within a hermit crab carapace, decayed relatively fast.We found limited variation in the decay rate between conspecifics, and we did not observe size-related trends in decay rate. Conversely, substantial differences in the decay rate between species were seen after c. 50 days, with shrimps and stomatopods decaying fastest, suggesting a relatively low preservation potential, whereas the lobster, calico crabs, horseshoe crabs and barnacles showed relatively slow decay rates, suggesting a higher preservation potential. These results are supported by two modern and fossil record-based preservation potential metrics that are significantly correlated to decay rate ranks. Furthermore, we speculate that stemward slippage may not be ubiquitous in marine arthropods. Our results imply that diversity studies of true crabs, lobsters, horseshoe crabs and barnacles are more likely to yield patterns that are closer to their true biodiversity patterns than those for stomatopods, shrimps and hermit crabs.

show abstract

“…; Kočí et al . ) whereas soft tissue preservation (including the appendages) is extremely rare (Briggs et al . ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative experimental taphonomy of eight marine arthropods indicates distinct differences in preservation potential

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…; Kočí et al . ; Gale ). Detailed study of the phosphate phases in the extant inarticulate brachiopod Lingula indicates the presence of the fluorapatite mineral francolite set in a complex matrix of chitin, collagens and glycosaminoglycans (Williams et al .…”

Section: Institutional Abbreviationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The fossil record has not hitherto provided any evidence of this transition; the phosphatic Eolepas (Triassic–Cretaceous; Rhaetian–Valanginian; Kočí et al . ) co‐occurs with calcitic forms, which first appear in the Bathonian (Withers ). The calcite‐shelled thoracicans were placed in a monophyletic clade, the Thoracicalcarea Gale, .…”

Section: Institutional Abbreviationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Kočí et al . () performed an XRD analysis on Eolepas strambergensis (= tithonica ) and also identified the mineralogy as francolite. They argued that the francolite composition of valves of different species of different ages (Triassic–Cretaceous) from different sediment types (clay, various limestones) made it highly unlikely that the phosphorus was introduced by diagenetic processes.…”

Section: Valve Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A new phosphatic‐shelled cirripede (Crustacea, Thoracica) from the Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) of Germany – the oldest epiplanktonic barnacle

Gale

Schweigert

2015

Palaeontology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A new genus and species of phosphatic-shelled eolepadid barnacle from the Posidonia Shale (Toarcian, falciferum Zone) of Zell u. Aichelberg, southern Germany, is described as Toarcolepas mutans gen. et sp. nov. Numerous disarticulated individuals, associated with fossil wood, are present in a piece of concretionary limestone, and these are interpreted as having lived epiplanktonically attached to driftwood. The taxonomy of the Late Triassic -Early Cretaceous family Eolepadidae is reviewed, and two further species (T. gaveyi (Withers, 1920) and T. lotharingica (M echin, 1901)) are referred to Toarcolepas. The chemistry of valve composition of the Carboniferous Praelepas and Triassic-Jurassic eolepadid cirripedes is investigated using X-ray dis-persive analysis, and the ubiquitous presence of abundant phosphorus is taken as evidence that these taxa had a primary phosphatic composition, now preserved as francolite. A significant change in shell chemistry from phosphate to calcium carbonate took place during the evolution of the Thoracica, during the Late Triassic or Early Jurassic. The driving force behind this change may have been related to the reduced predation pressure associated with acquisition of an epiplanktonic mode of life. Calcite is softer, but energetically cheaper to deposit than phosphate mineral phases.

show abstract

“…Based on molecular as well as fossil data, the Jurassic has been interpreted as an important period for the radiation of barnacles (Pérez-losada et al 2008;Herrera et al 2015). Recent work on barnacles of that time includes revisions of major groups such as Eolepadidae (gale & Schweigert 2015; Koči et al 2015;carriol et al 2016), Brachylepadidae (gale & sørensen 2014) and Zeugmatolepadidae (gale 2014a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Litholepas klausreschi gen. et sp. nov., a new neolepadine barnacle (Cirripedia, Thoracica) on a sponge from the Upper Jurassic lithographic limestones of southern Germany

Nagler

Haug

Glenner

et al. 2017

njgpa

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this study we describe a unique fossil comprising 13 intact specimens of a pedunculate cirripede attached to a sponge (Codites serpentinus). The fossil comes from the Upper Jurassic lithographic limestones of southern Germany. Based on the shape and distinctive sculpture of the plates, a new genus and species Litholepas klausreschi gen. et sp. nov. (Eolepadidae: Neolepadinae) is introduced. Although lateral plates are indistinct and the rostrum is unknown, plate disposition and strong external sculpture indicate a position within Neolepadinae tough the exact relationships are still uncertain. Representatives of L. klausreschi gen. et sp. nov. are considered to have lived either in a parasitic or commensal relationship partially buried within the sponge.

show abstract

Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous stalked barnacles (Cirripedia, genus Eolepas Withers, 1928) from Štramberk, Moravia (Czech Republic)

Cited by 7 publications

References 4 publications

Comparative experimental taphonomy of eight marine arthropods indicates distinct differences in preservation potential

Comparative experimental taphonomy of eight marine arthropods indicates distinct differences in preservation potential

A new phosphatic‐shelled cirripede (Crustacea, Thoracica) from the Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) of Germany – the oldest epiplanktonic barnacle

Litholepas klausreschi gen. et sp. nov., a new neolepadine barnacle (Cirripedia, Thoracica) on a sponge from the Upper Jurassic lithographic limestones of southern Germany

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About