A Pleistocene dorsal valve of the terebratulid brachiopod Terebratula scillae has developed a malignant cyst due to colonization in vivo by an endolithic sponge. This trace fossil is a bioclaustration structure, representing a boring that has grown in unison with the growth of the cyst. Malformation of the shell may have killed the brachiopod but the sponge does not appear to have outlived its host. The minus-minus relationship of the two animals is considered to be an ‘accidental symbiosis’.
Endolithic sponge versus terebratulid brachiopod: Pleistocene, Italy: accidental symbiosis, bio claustration, deformity and death / Bromley, R. G.; Beuch, L; Ruggiero, Emma. - STAMPA. - (2008), pp. 361-368. [10.1007/978-3-540-77598-0_18]
Endolithic sponge versus terebratulid brachiopod: Pleistocene, Italy: accidental symbiosis, bio claustration, deformity and death.
RUGGIERO, EMMA
2008
Abstract
A Pleistocene dorsal valve of the terebratulid brachiopod Terebratula scillae has developed a malignant cyst due to colonization in vivo by an endolithic sponge. This trace fossil is a bioclaustration structure, representing a boring that has grown in unison with the growth of the cyst. Malformation of the shell may have killed the brachiopod but the sponge does not appear to have outlived its host. The minus-minus relationship of the two animals is considered to be an ‘accidental symbiosis’.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
