Coral-crinoid biocoenosis and resulting trace fossils from the Middle Devonian of the Eifel Synclines (Rhenish Massif, Germany)

Abstract

Fossil echinoderms are a rich source of information concerning biotic interactions. In this study we analyzed the premortem encrustation of the highly specialized Middle Devonian rugose coralsAspasmophyllum crinophilumand ?“Adradosia” sp. on camerate crinoid stems.Aspasmophylluminfested living crinoid stems by sclerenchymal outgrowth that formed a skeletal ring but ?“Adradosia” sp. encrusted the stems rapidly, without building a ring. These coral-crinoid biocoenoses indicate a settlement advantage for the rugose corals within densely populated communities of the lower Givetian. The corals could be interpreted as large epizoozoans that benefited as secondary tierers reaching relatively high tiering levels. It also suggests the ability for the affected crinoids to repel the coral by overgrowing the corallite with a local increased stereomic growth. Because the crinoid axial canals are not penetrated, the corals cannot be considered as predators or parasites of crinoids. Therefore, the described biocoenosis is interpreted as commensalism. The speciesA. crinophilumis redescribed, and a neotype is defined, because of the loss of the initial types. Two types of ichnofossils can be attributed to the premortem encrustation of both corals. They are described asOstiocavichnusn. ichnogen. and are attributed to the stereomic response of the infested hosts. These swellings are characterized as either elliptical (Ostiocavichnus ovalisn. ichnogen. n. ichnosp. due to the assumed reaction ofA. crinophilum) or subcircular concavities (O. rotundatusn. ichnogen. n. ichnosp. due to the reaction of ?“Adradosiasp.”).