CAMPANIAN CRUSTACEAN BURROW SYSTEM FROM ISRAEL WITH BROOD AND NURSERY CHAMBERS REPRESENTING COMMUNAL ORGANIZATION

Abstract:  Phosphorite-filled crustacean burrows associated with a Campanian-age omission surface in the north-western Negev are described. The phosphatic burrow casts weather out displaying scratches (bioglyphs) and two types of local swellings (chambers), which are flattened normal to the course of the burrow. The more abundant chamber type is a flattened spheroid (diameter 45–50 mm) or a flattened, highly prolate ellipsoid of larger dimensions, with bioglyphs. The other type is a flattened spheroid (diameter 45 mm), gently rounded on the upper side and flat on the base. Rings of elevations on the cast (representing moats) form interconnected circlets, each capped by about eight rounded hemispherical tubercles (4 × 4 mm) (pits on original), the whole forming a discrete network. The first type of chamber may have hosted the young (nursery chamber) and/or stored food. The second type of cast replicates a chamber with a pitted floor, which may have formed a brood chamber for 60–70 spherical eggs, each about 3 mm in diameter. Brood chambers in crustacean burrow systems were previously suspected, but only at burrow terminations. The interpreted K-type breeding strategy, brood care and associated functions require a high degree of social organization, none of which has been observed in extant crustaceans, but all occur within social insects.     

Firm evidence for a post-extinction ichnofauna: earliest Carboniferous Cruziana reticulata assemblage from the Anti-Atlas of Morocco

Cruziana reticulata is an arthropod-related ichnospecies that is characterized by a conspicuous net-like scratch pattern whose initial formation and later preservation require the presence of consolidated substrates in shallow marine fine-grained bottoms. There are two scenarios in which epifaunal to shallow infaunal benthic organisms may access firm siliciclastic substrates: first, by exposure of the compacted bottom after erosion of the upper, water-saturated and usually soft portion of sediment column; and, second, by primary fast substrate stabilization in the absence of biogenic sediment mixing. Whereas the first mode occurs throughout the Phanerozoic, the latter is only prevalent in marine bottoms during the Early Palaeozoic mainly as a consequence of poorly developed infaunal bioturbation. However, by eradicating burrowing organisms, mass extinctions are known (i.e. the end-Permian extinction) to ‘reset’ intensity of ecospace utilization, which entails the return to this anachronistic style of trace fossil preservation in younger times. An earliest Carboniferous ichno-assemblage dominated by Cruziana reticulata from Morocco attests the spread of firm substrates in the aftermath of the Hangenberg Event – a major extinction at the end of the Devonian period. Since evidence for erosion is lacking in accompanying sedimentary rocks and the ichno-assemblage shows characteristics of opportunistic exploitation of the nutritious muddy seabed, we favour the interpretation of this assemblage to represent a post-extinction ichnofauna. It shows that other taxonomically less severe mass extinctions may also exhibit transient but severe ecological effects in open marine ecosystems such as the collapse of vital sediment mixing. Such post-extinction effects may distort the perception of the stratigraphical record as a firmground ichno-assemblage often taken as evidence for submarine erosion and are crucial in highlighting sequence boundaries. We, thus, encourage appreciating macroevolutionary framework of respective ichnofaunas.     

Use of trace fossils in delineating sequence stratigraphic surfaces (Tertiary Venetian Basin, northeastern Italy)

The lowermost third-order sequence of the Venetian Molasse Basin (Upper Chattian-Lower Aquitanian) in the Belluno syncline is composed of a transgressive systems tract, comprising a basal, condensed, glauconitic sand sheet deepening upwards into finer-grained offshore deposits, and a highstand systems tract mainly consisting of prograding, offshore mudstones capped by very fine sandstones representing offshore-transition deposits. An integrated sedimentological, ichnological and micropaleontological approach has allowed the recognition of the internal organization of the sequence, the subdivision into parasequences in absence of an obvious physical expression, and the characterization of significant discontinuity surfaces at both sequence and parasequence scales. The transgressive surface shows a complex geometry of bored and encrusted cavities produced by erosional undercutting and a system of neptunian dykes and sills, with hiatal shell concentrations as infill. Component parasequences in the texturally homogeneous transgressive sand sheet can be identified on the basis of the preservational state of trace fossil assemblages (softground versus firmground conditions) and subtle changes in grain-size and glauconite content. Omission surfaces bounding the parasequences are marked by increased glauconite content, and densely crowded, predominantly vertical or oblique, relatively large, very distinct, thin-walled or unwalled, and uncompacted burrows. The condensed section coincides with highest values in relative abundance of planktic foraminifers and in diversity of benthic foraminifers. Parasequence-bounding flooding surfaces in the muddy offshore portion of the highstand systems tract are recognized as firmground surfaces mantled by thin shell concentrations in a matrix of silty, highly burrowed, glauconitic sand.     

Microvertebrates preserved in mammal burrows from the Holocene of the Argentine Pampas: a taphonomic and paleoecological approach

Microvertebrates are a major component of many assemblages recovered from the Quaternary of the Argentine Pampas. The main goal of this paper is to analyse the taphonomic history of a Holocene microfossil bonebed, recovered from the infilling of a burrow. Evidences suggest the plains vizcacha Lagostomus maximus as the putative producer of the burrow. The assemblage includes individuals belonging to different taxa of mammals (marsupials and rodents) and reptiles (snakes). Taphonomic features suggest that the accumulation inside the burrow was related to flooding processes in the plain. The burrow was a natural trap that favoured the accumulation and preservation of remains corresponding to individuals from different sources. According to the taphonomic evidence, some individuals (Lagostomus maximus, Lestodelphys halli and Serpentes indet.) died inside the burrow, whereas others (Microcavia australis, Reithrodon auritus and Ctenomys sp.) died outside the burrow, and after a time of being exposed on the surface their remains were transported by surface run-offs into the burrow. The record of Lestodelphys halli and Serpentes indet. in the burrow produced by Lagostomus maximus could be related to a circumstantial use. Mammal burrows are a significant taphonomic mode for the late Cenozoic of the Argentine Pampas.     

Determinants of between‐year burrow re‐occupation in a colony of the European bee‐eater Merops apiaster

Re‐occupation of existing nesting burrows in the European bee‐eater Merops apiaster has only rarely – and if so mostly anecdotically – been documented in the literature record, although such behavior would substantially save time and energy. In this study, we quantify burrow re‐occupation in a German colony over a period of eleven years and identify ecological variables determining reuse probability. Of 179 recorded broods, 54% took place in a reused burrow and the overall probability that one of 75 individually recognized burrows would be reused in a given subsequent year was estimated as 26.4%. This indicates that between‐year burrow reuse is a common behavior in the study colony which contrasts with findings from studies in other colonies. Furthermore, burrow re‐occupation probability declined highly significantly with increasing age of the breeding wall. Statistical separation of within‐ and between‐burrow effects of the age of the breeding wall revealed that a decline in re‐occupation probability with individual burrow age was responsible for this and not a selective disappearance of burrows with high re‐occupation probability over time. Limited duty cycles of individual burrows may be caused by accumulating detritus or decreasing stability with increasing burrow age. Alternatively, burrow fidelity may presuppose pair fidelity which may also explain the observed restricted burrow reuse duty cycles. A consequent next step would be to extend our within‐colony approach to other colonies and compare the ecological circumstances under which bee‐eaters reuse breeding burrows.     

Shell-Filled Burrows in the Upper Oligocene Antigua Formation,Antigua, Lesser Antilles

Limestones of the Upper Oligocene Antigua Formation of Antigua contain unusual burrows filled with the densely packed debris of shelly benthos. Unlined burrows (Planolites?) in deep-water biofacies at Half Moon Bay, parish of Saint Philip, are packed with a monospecific assemblage of large benthic foraminiferans (Lepidocyclina canelli Lemoine &; Douvillé) and a single brachiopod valve, Tichosina sp. A similar burrow in shallower-water biofacies at Hughes Point, parish of Saint Philip, is packed with echinoderm debris and, particularly, test fragments of the spatangoid echinoid Lovenia n. sp. Fragments of the same echinoid fill a conical burrow, Bergaueria isp. The latter is probably a physical accumulation, the common fragments of echinoid being washed into an empty burrow. In contrast, the infill of Planolites? isp. is more likely to be an accumulation mediated by the burrower.     

Hidden burrow plugs and their function in the tiger beetle, Cosmodela batesi (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae)

Tiger beetle larvae excavate and live in underground burrows, whose openings they sometimes plug with soil. This study documents the burrow plugging behavior of the tiger beetle, Cosmodela batesi (Fleutiaux), in the field. We also tested the function of burrow plugs in the laboratory. In the field, C. batesi more frequently made a plug when it rained. Most larvae made plugs inside their burrows (rather than at the soil surface), and the use of an endoscope was necessary to detect these sub-surface plugs. In the laboratory, flooding was simulated by artificially introducing water into specially-made arenas. Water filled the entire burrow when there was no plug, whereas plugged burrows maintained air chambers inside. When a plug was broken with a wire, burrows filled up with water. The burrowing and plugging behavior described in this study is likely an important adaptation of C. batesi to its habitat.     

Size-dependent Mating Behaviours of Male Sand-bubbler Crab,Scopimera globosa: Alternative Tactics in the Life History

Factors leading to the separation of mating behaviours were investigated in the sand-bubbler crab, Scopimera globosa. The crabs mated on the surface (surface copulation, SC) and underground (UC). UC males were large (old) whilst SC males were small (young). Burrowless females bred in the UC males' burrows. These females accepted UC in exchange for access to a burrow. UC occurred much more frequently than SC in the burrow area in which females oviposited. Most SC occurred in the water-saturated area affording a rich diet. SC was accepted by most large and small females in both areas and most UC by small females in the burrow area. SC was an alternative to UC for males in that there was a size dependence between types of copulation. These two mating behaviours involved different degrees of interaction with neighbouring males. Males attempting to carry a female to their burrows for UC were more often disturbed by other males than were males attempting SC. In the interaction for both UC and SC, larger males were likely to resist the disturbances. UC males needed their own burrows, but these burrows were not enlarged before mating. UC males have a higher paternity of eggs than SC males, because SC males' sperm is often displaced by other males. Thus, UC was a behaviour with relatively higher costs and benefits for male crabs than SC behaviour. Alternative mating behaviours in male S. globosa are conditional, and explained by intrasexual interactions and a male life history strategy with a trade-off between growth and reproduction. It is not likely that the size dependence of male mating behaviour is caused by mate preference of females for UC males in the burrow area.     

A comparison of crayfish burrow morphologies: Triassic and Holocene fossil,paleo‐ and neo‐ichnological evidence,and the identification of their burrowing signatures

The architectural and surficial morphologies of crayfish burrows from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation and Holocene sediments were compared in order to determine: 1) if Triassic burrows could truly be attributed to crayfish activity; 2) how comparable the burrowing mechanisms are; and 3) whether or not a common set of burrowing signatures could be identified for both ancient and modern freshwater crayfish. Materials used in this study include burrows from the members of the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation, casts of modern burrows constructed by Procambarus clarkii Hobbs and Procambarus acutus acutus (Girard) in the laboratory, and casts of naturally constructed modern burrows of Cambarus diogenes di‐ogenes (Girard).

Triassic and Holocene crayfish burrow morphologies exhibit simple to complex architectures, varying degrees of branching, chamber, and chimney development. They also exhibit relatively textured surficial morphologies (bioglyphs) such as scrape and scratch marks, mud‐ and lag‐liners, knobby and hummocky surfaces, pleopod striae, and body impressions. Holocene crayfish construct distinctive burrows due to their conservative limb arrangement, functional morphology, and behavior with respect to environmental stimuli. Similarities between Holocene and Triassic crayfish burrows suggest that extant and Triassic crayfish employed identical burrowing mechanisms. Features of the surficial and architectural morphologies impart a distinctive signature to burrows of both ancient and modern freshwater burrowing crayfish.

Burrowing signatures of crayfish can be used to identify new and previously misinterpreted continental trace fossils. These are useful in studies of the paleohydrogeology, paleoclimatology and paleoecol‐ogy of burrow‐bearing deposits.     

The Recognition of Ophiomorpha irregulaire on the Basis of Pellet Morphology: Restudy of Material from the Type Locality

Serial grinding of a specimen of Ophiomorpha irregulaire collected from Coal Creek Canyon in the Book Cliffs of Utah, USA—the type locality of the ichnospecies—allows us to assess the validity of pellet morphology as an ichnotaxobase for species-level identification. The importance of O. irregulaire stems from its abundance in petroliferous shallow marine strata of post-Paleozoic age. Our three-dimensional reconstruction of the burrow wall of O. irregulaire demonstrates for the first time that it is composed of sand-cored pellets. The typically spiky nature of the pellets in cross-section is inferred to result from differential compaction of the sand core and pelletal lining. Rupturing of the thin outer clay coating of the sand pellets is considered to produce the distinctively attenuated, spiky outer surface to the burrow wall of this ichnospecies. This study demonstrates the utility of pellet morphology in species-level classification of Ophiomorpha and lends support to O. irregulaire being a cosmopolitan ichnospecies present in post-Paleozoic strata. It also demonstrates the need to ensure that ichnotaxonomic identifications are based on three-dimensional knowledge of the trace fossil in question.     

Vagorichnus,a new ichnogenus for feeding burrow systems and its occurrence as discrete and compound ichnotaxa in Jurassic lacustrine turbidites of Central China

A new ichnogenus, Vagorichnus, is figured and described from Jurassic lacustrine turbidites of the Anyao Formation, Henan Province, Central China. Vagorichnus consists of complex burrow systems composed of discontinuous curved to meandering segments in which irregular networks are formed. The ichnospecies V. anyao covers burrow systems characterized by constricted and irregularly annulated segments, and ridge‐like knobs. Although traces are preserved as hypichnial ridges on the sole of turbidite sandstones, several lines of evidence indicate that these ichnofossils record the activity of a post‐event infauna. Vagorichnus occurs as discrete and compound ichnotaxa. In the latter case, it grades into Gordia and Tuberculichnus. Vagorichnus is interpreted as invertebrate feeding structures (Fodinichnia).     

Effect of lowered salinity on the survival,condition and reburial of Soletellina alba (Lamarck, 1818) (Bivalvia: Psammobiidae)

Abstract Mass mortalities of fauna are known to occur in estuarine environments during flood events. Specific factors associated with these mortalities have rarely been examined. Therefore, the effect of exposing, to lowered salinities, an infaunal bivalve that is susceptible to mass mortalities during winter flooding in a southern Australian estuary was tested in the present study. In a laboratory experiment, low salinities (≤6 parts per thousand [ppt]), which mimicked those expected during flood events in the Hopkins River estuary, were shown to affect Soletellina alba, both lethally and sublethally. All bivalves died at 1 ppt, while those at 6 ppt took longer to burrow and exhibited a poorer condition than those at 14 and 27 ppt. The limited salinity tolerance of S. alba suggests that lowered salinities are a likely cause of mass mortality for this species during winter flooding.     

Antheridiogen,dark spore germination,and outcrossing mechanisms in Bommeria (Adiantaceae)

Isozymic analyses of the patterns of genetic variability in sporophyte populations have demonstrated that most fern species have outcrossing breeding systems. However, because fertilization takes place during the ephemeral, diminutive gametophyte generation, direct observation of breeding systems in nature has not been possible. Recent discoveries of soil-bound spore banks suggested that genetic diversity could be stored beneath the surface and subsequently released by appropriate chemical cues. Previous studies demonstrated that Bommeria sporophytes are the product of outcrossing, that their gametophytes carry high levels of genetic load, and that they produce and respond to antheridiogen. Research reported here demonstrated that Bommeria spores can survive long-term storage but will not germinate in the dark. Antheridiogen, however, will release spores from this light requirement and stimulate germination. Higher concentrations of antheridiogen result in higher germination rates. Gametophytes grown in the dark on antheridiogen-enriched agar form antheridia and release actively swimming sperms. Thus, spores housed beneath the soil surface could remain dormant until stimulated to germinate by antheridiogen secreted by surface-dwelling, archegoniate gametophytes. Sperm released from these subterranean gametophytes could fertilize eggs on the surface. Because spores housed in the soil are likely to be genetically different than those at the surface, heterozygous sporophytes would be more likely to result. Discovering that Bommeria species contain all of the prerequisites for this proposed outcrossing mechanism provides an explanation for the maintenance of genetic diversity in some fern populations.     

Burrow architecture,family composition and habitat characteristics of the largest social African mole-rat: the giant mole-rat constructs really giant burrow systems

Among African mole-rats, the giant mole-rat Fukomys mechowii is the largest social species. Despite several attempts to study a free-living population, information on its biology from natural habitats is very scarce. We mapped two neighbouring burrow systems of the giant mole-rat in a miombo woodland in Zambia. We provide information on the size and kin structure of the respective mole-rat families, architecture of their burrow systems, and characteristics of the food supply and soil around the two mapped and additional ten burrow systems. Both uncovered burrow systems were very large (total lengths, 2,245 and 743 m), making them the largest burrow systems ever mapped. Food resources around the additional ten burrow systems had a clumped distribution (standardized Morisita index of dispersion = 0.526), but a relatively high biomass (298 ± 455 g m⁻²). This, together with favourable soil conditions even in the advanced dry season (cone resistance, 328 ± 50 N m⁻²; soil density, 1.36 ± 0.06 g cm⁻³) indicates relatively hospitable ecological conditions. Both food supply and soil conditions were comparable with the conditions found in a miombo habitat of the solitary silvery mole-rat in Malawi. This suggests that there are no ecological constraints which would preclude the solitary life of a subterranean herbivore from the examined habitat. Microsatellite analysis supported the assumption that giant mole-rats live in monogamous multigenerational families with only one breeding pair of non-related animals and their offspring. The mean family size is consistent with previous findings on this species and comparable to that found in other Fukomys species studied thus far.     

Zur Kenntnis vonTetrasporopsis fuscescens

The macroscopic colonies ofTetrasporopsis fuscescens consist of a tegument of irregularly folded bag-like mucilage. It contains isolated ellipsoidal cells arranged in a regular peripheral stratum and rather sparsely and irregularly beneath. They show polarity, 4 parietal chromatophors when fully developed, have a wall containing cellulose, and no contractile vacuoles. Naked protoplasts are released from them through circular openings oriented towards the surface. Flagellated cells and cysts were not observed.T. reticulata may be closely related toT. fuscescens, but probably no other species is allied.

Herrn Univ.-Prof. Dr.Walter Leinfellner zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

The trace fossil Nummipera eocenica from the Tatra Mountains,Poland: morphology and palaeoenvironmental implications

Jach, R., Machaniec, E. & Uchman, A. 2011: The trace fossil Nummipera eocenica from the Tatra Mountains, Poland: morphology and palaeoenvironmental implications. Lethaia, Vol. 45, pp. 342–355. The tubular trace fossil Nummipera eocenica Hölder 1989 occurs in a single stratigraphical horizon in Eocene nummulitic limestones of the Tatra Mountains, Poland. The wall of N. eocenica is built of Discocyclina and Nummulities (larger foraminifera) tests, very rarely of the Ditrupa (Polychaeta) tube fragments, bivalve shell fragments, echinoid spines and coralline algae. Morphotype are distinguished on the basis of wall composition and structure. Morphotype A is dominated by fusiform Discocyclina tests, which were preferentially selected by the trace makers for construction of a well‐constructed and resistant wall. Morphotype B contains more robust tests of Nummulites, while morphotype C is dominated by saddle‐shaped tests of Discocyclina. Nummipera eocenica was produced during a period of seafloor stabilization caused by a deepening. The succession of the morphotypes B, A reflects diminishing energy and increasing water depth. Probably morphotype C represents even lower energy environment than morphotype A. The trace fossil is interpreted as a domichnion, which wall was constructed for protection. The trace maker can be considered between polychaetes and crustaceans; however, comparisons to the closest recent analogues, the polychaete Diopatra cuprea or alpheid shrimps, are not satisfactory. □Bartonian, burrow, Carpathians, large foraminifera, trace fossils.     

Location of long‐term communal burrows of a threatened arid‐zone lizard in relation to soil and vegetation

The great desert skink (Liopholis kintorei) of the Egerniinae subfamily (Reptilia: Scincidae) is a communal burrowing lizard that inhabits arid spinifex grasslands in central Australia. Great desert skink activity is centred in and around the burrows which are inhabited for many years. However, it is not known whether skinks select burrow sites with specific attributes or how continuing occupancy of burrows is influenced by the surrounding habitat; especially post‐fire, when plant cover is reduced. Here, we test whether great desert skink burrows in areas burnt 2 years previously and in longer unburnt areas are associated with particular habitat attributes, and whether there are differences between occupied and recently abandoned burrow sites. Vegetation composition, cover and soil surface characteristics at 56 established great desert skink burrows, including occupied and recently unoccupied burrows, were compared with 56 random nearby non‐burrow control sites. Burrow sites had higher plant cover compared with the surrounding landscape in both recently burnt and longer unburnt areas and were more likely to be associated with the presence of shrubs. Soil stability and infiltration were also higher at burrow sites. However, we found no evidence that burrows with lower cover were more likely to be abandoned. Our results suggest that great desert skinks may actively select high cover areas for burrow construction, although differences between burrow and control sites may also partly reflect local changes to plant cover and composition and soil properties resulting from burrow construction and long‐term habitation of a site. Further research should determine if burrows with shrubs or higher plant cover provide greater protection from predators, more structural stability for burrow construction, increased prey abundance or other benefits. We recommend that maintenance of areas with relatively higher plant cover be prioritized when managing great desert skink habitat.     

遗迹化石Trichophycus在贵州仁怀下–中奥陶统湄潭组中的首次报道及意义*

遗迹化石研究对揭示奥陶纪生物大辐射事件期间, 底栖生物在陆棚区定居的具体过程有重要意义。Trichophycus在寒武系–奥陶系有广泛报道, 但是针对其时空分布、演化轨迹、造迹生物属性和生态等的系统总结和讨论较少。本文首次在贵州仁怀地区下–中奥陶统湄潭组内陆棚沉积中报道了遗迹属Trichophycus。该遗迹化石由宽的U型、平直或弯曲的潜穴管以前进式方式构成潜穴系统。底部和侧部以纵向排列的、平行或近似平行的抓痕为特征, 发育后退式蹼状构造, 不发育衬里。上述特征支持将其划归到T. venosus Miller, 1879。湄潭组中Trichophycus可能为一类未知的节肢动物居群所建造的觅食/居住遗迹。地质历史中Trichophycus的造迹生物来自多个类群, 是行为趋同的产物。作为Glossifungites遗迹相的常见分子, 它的出现可能指示沉积物的初始硬结或存在较短的沉积间断。Trichophycus相对狭窄的沉积相分布区间表明它可以作为浅海固底的指相遗迹化石。作为先锋遗迹属, Trichophycus的地史分布表明, 全球各板块底栖造迹生物在陆棚区的定居是不等时的。湄潭组中Trichophycus的出现, 是华南扬子区奥陶纪生物大辐射事件期间, 底栖造迹生物探索陆棚区生态空间的一个缩影。     

Architectural complexity of marine crustacean burrows: unusual helical trace fossils from the Miocene of Mallorca,Spain

Gibert, J.M. de, Mas, G. & Ekdale, A.A. 2012: Architectural complexity of marine crustacean burrows: unusual helical trace fossils from the Miocene of Mallorca, Spain. Lethaia, Vol. 45, pp. 574–585. Unusual helical trace fossils occur in Tortonian shelfal calcarenites in the island of Mallorca. Their morphology may be either simple (ichnogenus Gyrolithes) or, more commonly, consist of two concentric helical burrows (ichnogenus Lapispira). They bear a very characteristic pelleted lining and are associated and probably connected to Thalassinoides and Ophiomorpha burrow systems very abundant in the same unit. These features allow the interpretation that the tracemaker was a thalassinidean shrimp. The complex and compound nature of these trace fossils is comparable to that seen in other modern and fossil crustacean burrow systems, and it reflects the behavioural plasticity of the architects. □Trace fossils, ichnology, ichnofabrics, crustacean burrows, Miocene, shallow marine, Lapispira.