Developmental traits and life strategy of redlichiid trilobites |
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| Authors: | Tao Dai Xingliang Zhang Shanchi Peng |
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| Institution: | 1. State Key Laboratory for Continental Dynamics and Geology Department, Shaanxi Key laboratory of Early Life and Environments and Northwest University, Xian, 710069 China;2. State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy (Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, CAS), Nanjing, 210008 China |
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| Abstract: | The developmental mode of four redlichiid trilobites is summarized, based upon exceptionally well-preserved, articulated specimens from Cambrian Series 2 (stages 3 and 4) strata in southwestern China and South Australia. These relatively complete developmental sequences indicate a balanced rate in segment increase and addition to the thorax during the meraspid phase, which might explain why most redlichiids possess micropygous body patterning during ontogeny. In addition, an analysis of the size distribution, developmental strategy, and distribution of specimen numbers at different growth stages reveals a distinct developmental strategy during the redlichiid life cycle. A relatively short pre-holaspid and a prolonged holaspid phase in these redlichiid taxa offers insight into the developmental control and life strategy in these primitive arthropods. |
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| Keywords: | trilobite Cambrian redlichiids body plan ontogeny development life cycle |
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