Chatterton & Whitehead, 1987

Author(s):Chatterton, B. D., Whitehead, H. L.
Year:1987
Title:Predatory borings in the inarticulate brachiopod Artiotreta from the Silurian of Oklahoma
Journal:Lethaia
Volume:20
Number:1
Pages:67-74
Abstract

A sample containing inarticulate acrotretid brachiopods, from the Silurian Clarita Formation of Oklahoma, was studied to determine the occurrence, nature and frequency of boring in the shells, and the possible identity of the boring organism. Specimens of Artiotreta parva Ireland, 1961 are abundant and specimens of Opsiconidion n. sp. and Acrotretella siluriana Ireland, 1961 are rare in the samples studied. All of the borings discovered are in A. parva except for one, which is in a specimen of O. n. sp. The boreholes are considered to be of predatory origin, and are similar in morphology to borings made by Recent gastropods. The small countersunk boreholes are equally frequent on pedicle and brachial valves, but preferentially located in particular regions of each valve. Boring frequency is high. The identity of the boring organism has not been determined, but is considered to be a soft bodied predator or an archaeo-gastropod

Keywords:Bioerosion, Biogenic substrate, Brachiopoda, Gastropoda, North America, Predation, Silurian, Trace fossils
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3931.1987.tb00762.x
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