189-5 Cryptic Behavior in Some Middle Devonian (Givetian) Microconchid Tubeworms from Western New York State

Session: Paleontology, Paleoecology/Taphonomy (Posters)

Presenting Author:

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Abstract:

Encrustation of Paleozoic cryptic surfaces remains a relatively poorly understood and infrequently documented paleontological phenomenon. The interior surface of a recently discovered Middle Devonian (Givetian) cephalopod shell, described herein, served as a cryptic substratum for encrustation by numerous (100+) microconchids, thereby providing insights into the paleoecology of sclerobiosis in such a setting. The cephalopod, recovered from the Windom Shale member of the Moscow Formation of western New York, USA, is preserved as a part-counterpart internal mold, allowing recognition of dense settlement by a cohort of microconchids on the interior upper surface. Maximum settlement a short distance inwards from the opening to the shell may have protected the encrusters from predators, although limited food availability may have resulted in slower growth, as reflected by the relatively small diameter of microconchids. Patterns of encrustation suggest a preference for occupation of this cryptic surface, indicating that Paleozoic microconchids may have preferred settlement upon concealed undersurfaces (given adequate paleoenvironmental conditions). Although microconchids are known as common, even dominant, encrusters on exposed surfaces in Paleozoic settings, this may primarily reflect their generalist tendencies and broad tolerances, as they were able to occupy non-cryptic surfaces despite a potential preference for cryptic surfaces

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-10842

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