Abstract
A 365 million year‐old trilobite moult‐carcass assemblage was described by Błażejowski et al. (2015) as the oldest direct evidence of moulting in the arthropod fossil record. Unfortunately, their suppositions are insufficiently supported by the data provided. Instead, the morphology, configuration and preservational context of the highly fossiliferous locality (Kowala Quarry, Poland) suggest that the specimen consists of two overlapping, queued carcasses. The wider fossil record of moulting actually extends back 520 million years, providing an unparalleled opportunity to study behaviour, ecology and development in early animals. Taking cues from modern analogues, it is possible to quantify precise details about moulting behaviour to determine broad‐scale evolutionary trends, ontogenetic sequences and morphological selection pressures. In this review, we argue that this rich source of data has been underused in evolutionary studies, though has great potential for investigating the life history and evolution of arthropods in deep time.
Highlights
Think againRecognising moulting behaviour in trilobites by examining morphology, development and preservation: Comment on Bl-az_ ejowski et al 2015
Biphasic moulting in marine isopods influences preservation of these arthropods in the palaeontological record, the majority of fossils being interpreted as moulted exuviae because they consist of posterior body regions only, without the head [50, 51]
On consideration of the preservation, morphology and arrangement of the specimen, and in comparison to other trilobite material from the locality, it is more likely that this specimen represents two separate trilobite individuals, which are queueing in a manner similar to that described for Trimerocephalus by Radwanski et al [19]
Summary
Recognising moulting behaviour in trilobites by examining morphology, development and preservation: Comment on Bl-az_ ejowski et al 2015. A 365 million year-old trilobite moult-carcass assemblage was described by Bl-az_ ejowski et al (2015) as the oldest direct evidence of moulting in the arthropod fossil record. Their suppositions are insufficiently supported by the data provided. The wider fossil record of moulting extends back 520 million years, providing an unparalleled opportunity to study behaviour, ecology and development in early animals. Taking cues from modern analogues, it is possible to quantify precise details about moulting behaviour to determine broad-scale evolutionary trends, ontogenetic sequences and morphological selection pressures.
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