Possible latitudinal predation gradient in middle Paleozoic oceans

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 1999 Possible latitudinal predation gradient in middle Paleozoic oceans Lindsey R. Leighton Lindsey R. Leighton 1Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Lindsey R. Leighton 1Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1999) 27 (1): 47–50. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0047:PLPGIM>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Lindsey R. Leighton; Possible latitudinal predation gradient in middle Paleozoic oceans. Geology 1999;; 27 (1): 47–50. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0047:PLPGIM>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Molluscan ornament in modern oceans increases with decreasing latitude, in response to greater risk from tropical durophages (shell-crushing predators). The latitudinal gradient is presumed to be associated with the appearance of modern durophages during the Cretaceous, but this is untested. A radiation of durophages during the Devonian may have resulted in sufficient predation pressure to influence prey distribution similarly, although Devonian predators and prey are distantly related to their recent equivalents. This study examines latitudinal variation in ornament in Devonian strophomenide brachiopods to determine if a latitudinal gradient existed. A latitudinal gradient is documented for the Devonian; ornament decreases with increasing latitude. The correlation between proportion of spinose genera and region is −0.947 (p < 0.001). Similar to modern molluscs, spinose strophomenide genera constitute 26%–41% of tropical genera. The data corroborate the hypothesis that predation influenced the evolution and distribution of prey as early as the Devonian Period. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.