Dworczak et al., 2025

Author(s):Dworczak, P. G., Szrek, P., Wilk, O.
Year:2025
Title:Bioerosion in the Late Devonian placoderm remains from the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland
Journal:Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
Volume:70
Number:4
Pages:629-639
Abstract

A taxonomic analysis of three ichnogenera revealed the earliest evidence of Sulculites (ie., Sulculites bellus), characterised by curved grooves known from the tortoise shells, the potential Osteocallis? isp. consists of irregular and shallow grooves, which were first described on dinosaur bones from continental deposits, while Karethraichnus? isp. being a deep and cylindrical boring, recognized for the first time in turtle shells. They show the evidence of post mortem erosional activity by organisms (e.g., worms) that penetrated the decaying carcasses to search for nutritional particles, graze microbial mats and colonize the osteic substrate. The massive dermal bones of placoderms seem to be appealing to scavengers, albeit rather as an opportunistic behaviour. Nevertheless, this uncommon finding may be caused by the relatively limited attention that has been paid to this phenomenon. The described traces also represent the oldest evidence of macrobioerosion in osteic substrate, as well as the oldest documented occurrence of these forms that have been known so far.

Keywords:Devonian, Paleontology, Poland, Trace fossils, Vertebrata
DOI:https://doi.org/10.4202/app.01220.2024
Download:PDF
SARV-WB:edit record