Abstract
Abstract. Selected specimens from the Jurassic ammonoid family Arietitidae were investigated using morphometric methods of transverse and longitudinal conch section analysis. The family Arietitidae is characterized by similarities in the conch geometry, but variation can be demonstrated by means of differences in conch morphology. Our study focuses on a specimen of the arietitid Pararnioceras sp., which revealed striking changes in conch morphology due to a syn vivo growth through a parasitic serpulid. Changes in its ontogenetic development are compared with specimens without epizoans. The ecological interpretation of the morphometric data allows the conclusion that the host possessed the ability to counteract the parasitic conch abnormalities by adapting its housing growth, thus ensuring survival.
Highlights
In the 19th century, research on the Jurassic period had already revealed the stunning diversity and disparity of its ammonite faunas (e.g. Orbigny, 1842; Quenstedt, 1858, 1885– 1888; Hyatt, 1889; Wähner, 1895)
The family Arietitidae is characterized by similarities in the conch geometry, but variation can be demonstrated by means of differences in conch morphology
Our study focuses on a specimen of the arietitid Pararnioceras sp., which revealed striking changes in conch morphology due to a syn vivo growth through a parasitic serpulid
Summary
In the 19th century, research on the Jurassic period had already revealed the stunning diversity and disparity of its ammonite faunas (e.g. Orbigny, 1842; Quenstedt, 1858, 1885– 1888; Hyatt, 1889; Wähner, 1895) It was the same people who discovered remains of other organisms attached to the ammonite conchs, either syn vivo or post mortem. A parasitic nature, but this, can be assumed to be the cause of some abnormal malformations of ammonoid conchs (a review over parasitoses can be found in De Baets et al, 2015) These parasitoses were defined by Keupp (2012) as “organismic interrelationships in which a parasite in or on an organism is temporarily or permanently determined and permanently damages its host”
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