Crustacean Microcoprolites Research Articles

Crustacean microcoprolites from the Middle Triassic Luoping Biota, China: Evidence for primary producers in the first Modern-type marine ecosystems

Modern-type marine ecosystems became established in the Triassic following the devastation of the Permian-Triassic mass extinction. Attention has been focused on higher levels of these food chains, but the primary levels have not been established in detail. Here, we present evidence of microcoprolites from the Luoping biota (early Anisian, Middle Triassic) that lophogastrid shrimps were feeding on cyanobacteria, evidence for the primary producers and consumers in the system. Microscopic study of the microcoprolites, using SEM, EDS elemental analysis, micro-CT and FIB-SEM scanning, and Raman testing, revealed that crescent-shaped, symmetrically arranged canals indicate a possibility that these micron-sized pellets belong to the ichnospecies Palaxius isp. produced by crustaceans. Comparison of the microcoprolites, with their preserved canals, with fossilized intestines from lophogastrid shrimps confirms their source, based on similarities in ultrastructure and chemical composition. Our discovery confirms the rise of Modern-type zooplankton, represented by lophogastrids and other arthropods, replacing extinct Palaeozoic marine invertebrate taxa while the phytoplankton may still have been primitive and represented by cyanobacteria. The pyramid of energy and trophic levels of a well-preserved Middle Triassic marine biota now are more fully understood, representing an example of the full recovery of the marine ecosystem.

Fish and crab coprolites from the latest Triassic of the UK: From Buckland to the Mesozoic Marine Revolution

Coprolites from the Rhaetian bone beds in south-west England can be assigned to crustaceans and fishes. Here, we report crustacean microcoprolites, including Canalispalliatum and Favreina, the first records from the British Rhaetian, from Hampstead Farm Quarry near Bristol, evidence for diverse lobsters and their relatives not otherwise represented by body fossils. Further, we identify five fish coprolite morphotypes that differ in shape (cylindrical, flattened) and in presence or absence of a spiral internal structure. Many coprolites show bony inclusions on the surface, often relatively large in proportion to the coprolite; these show little or no evidence for acid damage, suggesting that the predators did not have the physiological adaptations of many modern predatory fishes and reptiles to dissolve bones. CT scanning has revealed the nature, packing and identity of inclusions within the coprolites, mainly fish scales, and some coprolites can contain more than twenty. An extraordinary discovery in one coprolite comprises a single sculptured skull element of the large bony fish Severnichthys together with two caudal vertebrae of the marine reptile Pachystropheus: did the coprolite producer, likely a fish, scavenge some flesh from the head of Severnichthys and then bite off the tail of the reptile? Assigning coprolites to producers is difficult, but it seems that Gyrolepis was preyed on by nearly every predator. The faunas and trophic relations revealed by the coprolites show that this was a modern-style marine ecosystem, with abundant crustaceans and several species of durophagous fishes, evidence for an early stage in the Mesozoic Marine Revolution.

Halorina cryptica nov. ichnogen., nov. ichnosp., mass-occurrence of Upper Triassic crustacean microcoprolites from neptunian dikes and sills cutting the Dachstein-type carbonate platform and their paleoenvironmental significance (Northern Apuseni Mountains, Romania)

The new crustacean microcoprolite Halorina cryptica nov. ichnogen., nov. ichnosp., is reported from cryptic cavities cutting the Upper Triassic (Carnian to lower Rhaetian) Dachstein-type limestones from the Northern Apuseni Mountains, Romania. The new ichnotaxon is extremely abundant in cavities, neptunian dikes and sills filled with red ferruginous carbonate sediment. The associated microfauna consists of ostracods and rare foraminifera. The microfacies is represented by bioclastic coprolite-bearing wackestone-packstone to grainstone. The red ferruginous carbonate fillings are strongly bioturbated. The neptunian sill located at the top of the studied section contains a rich ichnofauna associated with brachiopod accumulations. It is dominated by the dimerelloid rhynchonellid Halorella, indicating a late Norian-early Rhaetian age. Although neptunian dikes and sills are rather common in the Dachstein-type carbonate platform that extended on the northwestern Tethyan margin, we report here the first record of mass-occurrence of crustacean microcoprolites in neptunian dikes and sills filled with red carbonate sediments of marine origin. They are interpreted here as cryptic cavities with specific palaeoenvironmental features (e.g., lack of light, abundant nutrients, intensive microbial activity) where crustacean arthropods thrived.

Broennimannia persica n. ichnogen., n. ichnosp., a new crustacean microcoprolite from the Paleocene of eastern Iran

The new crustacean microcoprolite Broennimannia persica n. ichnogen., n. ichnosp., is described from the Paleocene (Danian-Selandian) of eastern Iran. The new microcoprolite is characterized by a bilateral symmetrical system of longitudinal “canals” that in transverse sections display an irregular (labyrinthine) outline with concave infoldings and rounded protuberances. The crescentic outline of parts of the canal system recalls the long-ranging ichnogenus Palaxius Bronnimann & Norton (Carboniferous to Pleistocene). In the latter ichnogenus, however, the canals are isolated. A general determination key for microcoprolites in transverse section is provided. The new microcoprolite occurs in poorly sorted foram-algal grainstones/packstones with a fine-grained siliciclastic content. The associated microfauna and –flora includes common miliolids, among the agglutinating Haymanella, Stomatorbina sp., serpulids, and dasycladalean algae (Cymopolia sp., Trinocladus atacis Segonzac). From Iran, fossil microcoprolites have been described so far only from the Upper Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, and Miocene. Broennimannia persica represents the first Paleocene record from this area.

Middle Jurassic crustacean microcoprolites and their association with terebellid polychaetes in prodelta deposits from the Neuquén Basin, Argentina

We present the oldest record of crustacean microcoprolites in the Neuquén Basin, and the first record of these coprolites for the Bajocian–Callovian of South America. They correspond to three crustacean microcoprolite ichnospecies in prodelta and turbiditic fan facies from Los Molles Formation: 1) Octotriangulella bonenburgensis Blau, Lukas and Stein from the upper Bathonian - lower Callovian (Rotundum and Vergarensis Standard Zones), 2) Palaxius salataensis Brönnimann, Cros, and Zaninetti, from the upper Bathonian (Steinmanni Standard Zone), and 3) Parafavreina ziczac Rindsberg and Kopaska-Merkel from the upper Bathonian (Steinmanni Standard Zone). Octotriangulella bonenburgensis also occurs in association with terebellid agglutinated polychaetes that make use of these coprolites to build the wall of their tubes. Sedimentological evidence indicates that microcoprolites were transported from shallower waters, whereas the presence of terebellids indicates dysoxic, low-energy microenvironments within prodelta facies with high sedimentation rates.

Palaxius floridanus n. isp., a new structured callianassid crustacean microcoprolite from the Pleistocene of south Florida

AbstractThe crustacean microcoprolite Palaxius floridanus n. isp. is described from shallow-water carbonate platform deposits of Pleistocene limestones of south Florida. Palaxius floridanus n. isp. occurs in moderate-energy packstones and grainstones of the oolite facies of the Miami Limestone, and in skeletal packstones of the Key Largo Limestone, ranging in age from marine isotope stage (MIS) 11 to MIS 5a (ca. 400–80 kyr BP). The new ichnospecies resembles P. decemlunulatus, which has been described previously from Oligocene deposits. Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous forms described as P. decemlunulatus belong to a new ichnogenus and new ichnospecies, respectively, yet to be described.

Sulcusina iberica n. ichnogen., n. ichnosp., a new crustacean microcoprolite from the Upper Cretaceous of Spain

The new crustacean microcoprolite Sulcusina iberica n. ichnogen., n. ichnosp., is described from the Upper Cretaceous Alarcón Formation (?uppermost Cenomanian to ?lower Coniacian) of the Southern Iberian range. The new ichnogenus is characterized by rod-shaped bodies with parallel-running longitudinal canals (without interconnecting lines) of rounded transverse sections within the symmetry plane. Characteristic is the presence of a central longitudinal furrow (or canal) that extends to the middle of the microcoprolite, without any connection to the laterally grouped canals of usually lower diameter. The latter display a circular outline in transverse sections. Sulcusina n. ichnogen. can be compared to some extant with both Helicerina Brönnimann & Masse and Lercarina Senowbari-Daryan. The new microcoprolite occurs in monotypic grainstones together with some thin-walled miliolids and ostracods ascribed to a peritidal facies.

Crustacean microcoprolites from Lower Cretaceous and Oligo-Miocene deposits, Persian Gulf, Iran

Biostratigraphical observations in different locations and horizons of carbonate strata from four oil wells drilled in the Persian Gulf Basin document three new ichnospecies of crustacean microcoprolites. Favreina irannensis n. sp. occurs in Valanginian–Hauterivian strata of the Buwaib Formation (Gadvan Formation), Palaxius asmariensis n. sp. in the Lower Miocene strata of the Asmari Formation, and Palaxius minaensis n. sp. in the Aptian strata of the Dariyan Formation.

Early Cretaceous crustacean microcoprolites from Sierra de la Cara Cura, Neuquén Basin, Argentina: Taphonomy, environmental distribution, and stratigraphic correlation

A new Early Cretaceous association of crustacean microcoprolites from the southern Mendoza sector of the Neuquén Basin, includes Palaxius salataensis Brönnimann, Cros and Zaninetti, 1972; Palaxius caucaensis Blau, Moreno and Senff, 1995; and Favreina cf. F. belandoi Fels, 1997. This microcoprolite association occurs in the Vaca Muerta and Chachao Formations (upper Berriasian–lower Valanginian), but Palaxius caucaensis is the first record of crustacean microcoprolites in the Mulichinco Formation and its first occurrence in Lower Cretaceous deposits. Preservation of these microcoprolites is probably a consequence of the low mud-availability in the environment together with a reduced compaction and neomorphism during diagenesis. Crustacean microcoprolites occur in outer to middle ramp deposits, suggesting that they were transported as sand-size particles.

FAVREINA CARPATICA N. ICHNOSP. (CRUSTACEAN MICROCOPROLITE) FROM THE MIDDLE JURASSIC OF RUCĂR-BRAN ZONE (SOUTHERN CARPATHIANS, ROMANIA)

The new crustacean microcoprolite, Favreina carpatica ,is described from the Middle Jurassic of Rucar-Bran zone, South Carpathians. It is the ichnospecies with the highest number (about 280) of longitudinally arranged canals pasing through the rod-shaped microcoprolite. Favreina carpatica was found in reddish to brown-carbonate sediments.

A Valanginian crustacean microcoprolite ichnofauna from the shallow-marine hydrothermal vent site of Zengővárkony (Mecsek Mts., Hungary)

A rich and diverse crustacean microcoprolite ichnofauna is reported from the Valanginian of the Mecsek Mts., Hungary. Localities from the Bolondut and Dezső Rezső valleys near Zengővarkony (Eastern Mecsek Mts.) provided Favreina aff. dispentochetarius, Palaxius darjaensis, P. triochetarius,P. salataensis, P. tetraochetarius, and P. decaochetarius. They occur in limonitic and partly metasomatized limestones, limestone olistoliths, and ammonite body-chambers. The remarkable richness of this ichnofauna plus the previous records from the same environment (altogether 11 ichnospecies of four ichnogenera from a single stratigraphic level) make it the most diverse crustacean ichnofauna of the Mesozoic. The former ecosystem of the ichnofauna is considered a deeper shallow-marine (water depth <300 m) hydrothermal vent on which the producers of the microcoprolites lived. The related brachiopod fauna shows a remarkable size and is dominated by Lacunosella. This fauna is not similar to typical fossil deep-sea vent faunas; however, it offers a thorough understanding of other fossil shallow-marine hydrothermal vent faunas and the role of crustaceans in these ecosystems. This is the first record of crustacean coprolites from such a fossil site and documents that crustaceans were diverse and played an important role in shallow-marine, non photosynthesis-based ecosystems in the geological past.

New crustacean microcoprolites from the Lower Cretaceous (middle Berriasian–lower Valanginian) of the Neuquén Basin, Southern Mendoza, Argentina

Three new ichnotaxa of crustacean microcoprolites from the Neuquen Basin, Argentina, are described in this paper: Palaxius rahuensis Kietzmann n. isp. (early Valanginian), Palaxius mendozaensis Kietzmann n. isp. and Palaxius malarguensis Kietzmann n. isp. (middle to late Berriasian). In addition, a Favreina ichnospecies from the late Berriasian e early Valanginian is reported for the first time for the Neuquen Basin. Controls on the microcoprolite distribution could be related to their biostratigraphic position, sedimentary processes, facies distribution, and diagenesis. Changes in microcoprolite diversity may reflect a shallowing facies trend.

Crustacean Microcoprolites from the Upper Jurassic— Lower Cretaceous of the Neuquén Basin, Argentina: Systematics and Biostratigraphic Implications

Fil: Kietzmann, Diego Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Estudios Andinos Don Pablo Groeber. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Estudios Andinos Don Pablo Groeber; Argentina

New crustacean microcoprolites of the Upper Triassic limestones of the Sambosan Accretionary Complex, Japan

We report here the first crustacean microcoprolites from the Sambosan Accretionary Complex (AC) in Japan. Three species of crustacean (order Decapoda) microcoprolites - Payandea japanica n. sp., Favreina tosaensis n. sp., and a species belonging to the genus Parafavreina? sp. are described from the Late Carnian to Rhaetian shallow-water limestones of the Sambosan AC, which were originated on extinct and subsiding volcanoes forming a mid-oceanic atoll-type buildup in the Panthalassan Ocean. Coprolites, which occur within a lagoonal to back-reef facies, provide new insight into the micropaleontology and sedimentology of the Sambosan limestones. Their presence in this tropical shallow-water depositional setting heightens their status of sedimentary facies indicators of such environments. Furthermore the occurrence of these Tethyan coprolites genera in Japan improves our knowledge of the distribution of Triassic crustacean decapods across the Panthalassan Ocean.

The crustacean ichnofossil Palaxius associated with callianassid body fossils in an Eocene methane-seep limestone, Humptulips Formation, Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Crustacean microcoprolites are preserved along with crustacean megafossils in an Eocene limestone within the Humptulips Formation in Grays Harbor County, Washington. The limestone formed at a methane seep, as revealed by early diagenetic carbonate phases resembling those of other seep limestones, δ13Ccarbonate values as low as −27‰, and lipid biomarkers of prokaryotes involved in anaerobic oxidation of methane with δ13C values as low as −110‰. Recognizable crustacean megafossils are chiefly isolated chelipeds, akin to those of callianassid shrimp. The microcoprolites are pierced by ten longitudinal canals with crescent-shaped outlines in cross-section, arranged in two symmetrical groups. The symmetry plan and number of canals of the microcoprolites identify the Humptulips ichnospecies as Palaxius habanensis Bronnimann & Norton. The occurrence of decapod fossils along with microcoprolites suggests that callianassid shrimp were the producers of the Palaxius, supporting earlier work that attributed this ichnogenus to callianassids.

Crustacean microcoprolites from Jurassic (Oxfordian) hydrocarbon-seep deposits of Beauvoisin, southeastern France

Decapod crustaceans are the most conspicuous predators and scavengers of modern chemosynthesis-based ecosystems at hydrothermal vents and hydrocarbon seeps; however, very little is known about decapod crustaceans at ancient seeps or vents. Some decapods, including galatheids, are known to produce highly specific, internally structured microcoprolites. Late Jurassic (Oxfordian) hydrocarbon-seep limestones from Beauvoisin (southeastern France) were found to contain such microcoprolites including Favreina fontana n. isp., F. cf. martellensis Bronnimann and Zaninetti, Palaxius salataensis Bronnimann, Cross and Zaninetti and Palaxius isp. These diverse ichnofossils indicate that crustaceans were also a part of ancient chemosynthesis-based ecosystems. This is the first report of crustacean coprolites from a deep-water environment.

Palaxius caucaensis n. sp., a Crustacean Microcoprolite from the Basal Nogales Formation (Campanian to Maastrichtian) of Colombia

From a sandstone layer of the basal Nogales Formation (Campanian to Maastrichtian) of Colombia (South America) the new crustacean microcoprolite Palaxius caucaensis is described. It represents the first finding of these microfossils in Cretaceous beds in South America. INTRODUCTION Until now crustacean microcoprolites from South America have been known only from Triassic and Jurassic sediments (Forster and Hillebrandt 1984, Senowbari-Daryan and Stanley 1986, Blau et al. 1993, Blau and Senff 1993). Whereever these coprolites occur, they are often the only fossil group preserved and therefore of great stratigraphical interest. The value of crustacean microcoprolites for biostratigraphy has been demonstrated by Molinari Paganelli et al. (1980, 1986). Additionally, crustacean microcoprolites are a good tool for paleobiogeography and the reconstruction of faunal migration paths (e.g., Blau et al. 1993). In this paper, we describe the first Cretaceous crustacean microcoprolite from South America. ORIGIN OF THE SAMPLE The investigated outcrop is situated SE of Monteloro (Departamento Valle del Cauca) at the western flank of the Central Cordillera of Colombia on sheet 261 Tulua. Close to the locality known as El Paraiso, about 200m of shallow marine conglomerates, sandstones and claystones crop out in a nameless eastern confluent of the Quebrada (creek) La Mina (text-fig. 1). The sample which yields the coprolites originates from a sandstone layer near the base of the profile. The Nogales Formation The Nogales Formation crops out in a narrow north-south directed strip along the western flank of the Central Cordillera of Colombia, southeast of the city of Tulua. It is limited to the west by a fault against rocks of the Amaime Formation and the batolith of Buga, while to the east the Nogales Formation disappears under the tertiary cover. It was described first by Nelson (1957) as a unit consisting of black cherts and grey sandstones. Pardo et al. (1993) subdivided the Nogales Formation into three units. The lower part contains (graded) sandstones and matrix-supported conglomerates which sometimes have an important content of carbonate. The conglomerates are composed of metamorphic, volcanic and sedimentary rock fragments and show diameters up to 10cm. The middle part of the Nogales Formation shows an alternation of sandstones and claystones with some intercalated chert layers. Slumping structures are frequent. The upper part is dominated by claystones and cross-bedded, fine-grained sandstones. Especially in the lower part, the Nogales Formation yields plant remains, internal molds of bivalves, gastropods and ammonites. F. Etayo-Serna (Bogota) kindly determined Trochoceramus sp. and Nostoceras sp., which indicate a Late Cretaceous (Campanian to Maastrichtian) age for the lower part of the Nogales Formation which also contains the finding horizon of the coprolite-bearing sandstone layer. In the upper part of the Nogales Formation van der Hammen (1960) found a sporal assemblage of Paleocene age. According to these data, the Nogales Formation is the youngest marine sedimentary unit at the western flank of the Colombian Central Cordillera. SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY Phylum ARTHROPODA Subclass MALACOSTRACA Superorder EUCARIDA Order DECAPODA Family THALASSINIDAE Genus Palaxius Bronnimann and Norton 1960 The genus Palaxius was defined by Bronnimann and Norton (1960) as having crescent shaped canals in cross-sections. Recently, Blau et al. (1994) have demonstrated that crescent-shaped canals also oc ur together with triangle-shaped canals in Parafavreina thor netensis Bronnimann et al. 1972a. Palaxi s caucaensis Blau, Moreno and Senff n. sp. Text-figures 2a-e, 3a-d Etymology: Named after the Valle del Cauca, where the coprolites were found. Holotype: The specimen illustrated in text-fig. 2c, thin section no. M-12, tored at the Institut fur Angewandte Geowissenschaften, Fachgebiet Palaontologie, Justus-Liebig-Universitat, Diezstrasse 15, D-35390 Giessen. Type locality: Nameless eastern confluent of the Quebrada La Mina (text-fig. 1). micropaleontology, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 85-88, text-figures 1-5, 1995 85 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.159 on Fri, 09 Dec 2016 05:24:19 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms Joachim Blau et al.: Palaxius caucaensis n. sp., a crustacean microcoprolite from the basal Nogales Formation of Colombia