Quaternary intensification of spine epibiosis in the cidaroid echinoid Eucidaris: implications for anthropogenic impacts

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: April 7, 2025

Echinoids are an integral part of present-day and ancient marine trophic webs, they host a variety mutualistic, commensalistic, parasitic epibionts on their spines test. Cidaroid echinoid (slate pencil urchins) in particular commonly colonized by epizoans. Eucidaris the western Atlantic eastern Pacific today notable for frequency intensity calcifying, non-calcifying, galling colonization spines. While moderate levels spine may provide camouflage other benefits to host, high density encrusters instead reduce fitness, is invariably parasitic. Significant environmental changes equatorial sub-equatorial necessitate paleobiological approach constrain timing epibiosis . Here, we compare rates populations with ancestral Pliocene assemblages. We find that show no evidence galling, significantly less than descendants both Pacific. This holds true even after accounting taphonomic processes would preferentially erase non-calcifying colonization. propose relatively recent development reflect human-induced habitat degradation region, underscoring need further investigation into this biotic interaction.

Language: Английский

The Ecology of Biotic Interactions in Echinoids

Published: Nov. 17, 2023

Organisms interacting with echinoids are common and produce diverse traces that often distinctive can be preserved in the fossil record. Thus, provide a wealth of information regarding role biotic interactions as drivers ecological morphological adaptations over macroevolutionary timescales. Studies documenting resulting have become more numerous. This Element reviews ecologies skeletal trace-producing on Modern ecosystems recognition those biogenic The authors explore diversification trends Meso-Cenozoic echinoid clades associated predator parasite groups context selective pressures brought about by evolution these interactions. Their intent is this review promotes additional studies intensity both Recent assemblages highlights their potential to advance our understanding ecosystem functioning evolution. title also available Open Access Cambridge Core.

Language: Английский

Symbiotic Relationships of Paleozoic Echinoderms

Paleontological Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 58(S3), P. S206 - S233

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Language: Английский