Affiliation:
1. State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
Abstract
Ecdysis was a vital process during the lives of trilobites. In addition to preserving the morphological changes in trilobite ontogeny, the preservation of its action often captured interesting behavioral information. Abundant exuviae of Ovalocephalus tetrasulcatus are preserved in the Ordovician strata in central Hubei, China, and some of them are arranged with two or three together end to end or superimposed. The preserved patterns and burial conditions indicate that these specimens were caused by the active behavior of trilobites. It is speculated that these exuvial clusters were formed by two or three trilobites in line to molt; that is, after one trilobite finished molting, other trilobites molted in front of, behind, or overlying the previously molted shells. This ecdysis strategy is interpreted as related to the postulated herding behavior of some trilobites, representing a behavioral response of the trilobites to choose a nearby safe zone during some risky life activities.
Funder
The National Natural Science Foundation of China
Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China University of Geosciences
Subject
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Medicine,General Neuroscience
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