Growth oscillation in larger foraminifera

Author(s)
Antonino Briguglio, Johann Hohenegger
Abstract

This work shows the potential for applying three-dimensional biometry to studying cell growth in larger benthic foraminifera. The volume of each test chamber was measured from the three-dimensional model obtained by means of computed tomography. Analyses of cell growth based on the sequence of chamber volumes revealed constant and significant oscillations for all investigated specimens, characterized by periods of approximately 15, 30, 90, and 360 days. Possible explanations for these periods are connected to tides, lunar cycles, and seasonality. The potential to record environmental oscillations or fluctuations during the lifetime of larger foraminifera is pivotal for reconstructing short-term paleoenvironmental variations or for gaining insight into the influence of tides or tidal current on the shallow-water benthic fauna in both recent and fossil environments.

Organisation(s)
Department of Palaeontology
Journal
Paleobiology
Volume
40
Pages
494-509
No. of pages
16
ISSN
0094-8373
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1666/13051
Publication date
2014
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105118 Palaeontology
ASJC Scopus subject areas
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Palaeontology, Ecology
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/99658e89-493b-4250-9af4-df3b9b4c70e7