The fossil record, function, and possible origins of shell color patterns in Paleozoic marine invertebrates

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Palaois; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3514734· OSTI ID:7135706

Kobluk, D R ^[1]; Mapes, R H ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Toronto, Ontario (Canada)
2. Ohio Univ., Athens (USA)

Fossil invertebrate shells and carapaces displaying preserved original color patterns are among the rarest fossils. The fossil record of color patterns extends into the Middle Cambrian where the trilobite Anomocare displays a fan-like array of stripes on the pygidium. About 180 Paleozic genera are known with patterns, including trilobites, cephalopods, gastropods, brachiopods, bivalves, crinoids, and crustaceans. Based upon an analysis of these taxa, it appears that patterns and pigments in middle and late Paleozoic invertebrates may have served several functions such as warning displays, light screening, camouflage, or waste disposal. However, the presence of color patterns in fossil invertebrates in the early Paleozoic may have developed prior to the evolution of vision sufficiently sophisticated to see them. This suggests that camouflage and warning displays were not the original functions of color patterns, and that in the earliest Paleozoic they may not have been functional. The authors propose a hypothesis that involves three developmental phases in the evolution of invertebrate color patterns: (1) the incorporation of metabolic by-products, perhaps some pigmented and some not pigmented, into shells and carapaces as a means of disposal of dietary or metabolic wastes, (2) use of these pigments and patterns as an environmental adaptation, such as light screening, and (3) display during and following the evolution of vision in predators sufficiently sophisticated to see the patterns.

• OSTI ID: 7135706
• Journal Information: Palaois; (USA), Vol. 4:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
FOSSILS
COLOR
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
PALEONTOLOGY
PALEOZOIC ERA
BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
BY-PRODUCTS
CAMBRIAN PERIOD
GEOLOGIC MODELS
INVERTEBRATES
ORIGIN
WASTE DISPOSAL
ANIMALS
GEOLOGIC AGES
MANAGEMENT
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
580000* - Geosciences