Beuck & Freiwald, 2005

Author(s):Beuck, L., Freiwald, A.
Year:2005
Title:Bioerosion patterns in a deep-water Lophelia pertusa (Scleractinia) thicket (Propeller Mound, northern Porcupine Seabight)
Book:Cold-Water Corals and Ecosystems
Publisher:Springer-Verlag
Pages:915-936
Abstract

This study focuses on bioerosion of an aphotic deep-water coral mound, the Propeller Mound, in the northern Porcupine Seabight. The predominant framework builder is the cosmopolitan cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa. We demonstrate bioerosion patterns within the skeleton of L. pertusa using a new embedding method under vacuum conditions with subsequent scanning electron microscope analysis. Following this method, 23 ichnospecies are documented and related to heterotrophic organism groups such as Bacteria (1), Fungi (12), Bryozoa (1), Foraminifera (3), and Porifera (6). Predominant endolithic sponges in the framework of L. pertusa are Alectona millari and Spiroxya heteroclita. Owing to its characteristic growth and surface ornamentation, trace casts of Spiroxya heteroclita are correlated to the well-known trace fossil Entobia laquea.

Keywords:Bioerosion, Deep‐marine, Paleontology, Trace fossils
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-27673-4_47
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