An encrusting kleptoparasite-host interaction from the early Cambrian

Zhifei Zhang,Glenn A Brock,Zhiliang Zhang,Christian B Skovsted,Yanlong Chen,Luke C Strotz,Yue Liang,Feiyang Chen,Timothy P Topper

doi:10.1038/s41467-020-16332-3

Zhifei Zhang, Glenn A Brock + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-16332-3

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Abstract

Parasite–host systems are pervasive in nature but are extremely difficult to convincingly identify in the fossil record. Here we report quantitative evidence of parasitism in the form of a unique, enduring life association between tube-dwelling organisms encrusted to densely clustered shells of a monospecific organophosphatic brachiopod assemblage from the lower Cambrian (Stage 4) of South China. Brachiopods with encrusting tubes have decreased biomass (indicating reduced fitness) compared to individuals without tubes. The encrusting tubes orient tightly in vectors matching the laminar feeding currents of the host, suggesting kleptoparasitism. With no convincing parasite–host interactions known from the Ediacaran, this widespread sessile association reveals intimate parasite–host animal systems arose in early Cambrian benthic communities and their emergence may have played a key role in driving the evolutionary and ecological innovations associated with the Cambrian radiation.

Highlights

Parasite–host systems are pervasive in nature but are extremely difficult to convincingly identify in the fossil record
We assess differences in biomass between brachiopod individuals of the species N. wulongqingensis encrusted with tubes and those individuals lacking tubes, with biomass representing a proxy for the biological fitness of an individual
Our analyses suggest that the tube-dwelling organisms reduced the biological fitness of the host and, when considered in combination with observations of the preferred growth orientation of the encrusting tubes, these results suggest the interaction between the tubedwelling organisms and their host brachiopod represents kleptoparasitism

Summary

Introduction

Parasite–host systems are pervasive in nature but are extremely difficult to convincingly identify in the fossil record. Our analyses suggest that the tube-dwelling organisms reduced the biological fitness of the host and, when considered in combination with observations of the preferred growth orientation of the encrusting tubes, these results suggest the interaction between the tubedwelling organisms and their host brachiopod represents kleptoparasitism.

Results

Conclusion