Exploring the limits of morphospace: ontogeny and ecology of late Viséan ammonoids from the Tafilalt, Morocco

Abstract

Early late Visean ammonoid assemblages in Morocco are composed of diverse and well-preserved specimens. The material was found in a plain in the Tafilalt (eastern Anti-Atlas). Here, we describe mass-occurrences of juvenile specimens, in which subadult and adult specimens occur in low numbers. The juveniles of some species display a conch morphology that differs fundamentally from the adult stages. Accordingly, we emend the species diagnoses of Goniatites lazarus as well as Calygirtyoceras darkaouaense, introduce the species Entogonites bucheri sp. nov., and discuss possible ecological implications of the morphologic changes throughout ontogeny. In particular, we compare the changes in conch morphology through ontogeny in the light of Pareto Optimiality according to which the morphology of organisms would fill a polygon or polyhedron in morphospace. Data points in one of the vorteces of the polyhedron indicate optimisation for the corresponding task. Although shape is not a proof of function, it appears pl...