The hydrostatics of paleozoic ectocochleate cephalopods (Nautiloidea and endoceratoidea) with implications for modes of life and early colonization of the pelagic zone
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2019
Abstract
Understanding the hydrostatic properties of ectocochleate cephalopods is essential to study the functional morphology of their shells. The conditions for neutral buoyancy, static orientation of the living animal, and their hydrostatic stability are key factors to determine the physical relationships and constraints on cephalopod life habits and paleoecology. The hydrostatics of early orthoconic and cyrtoconic Paleozoic cephalopods were investigated by digitally reconstructing morphotypes within Nautiloidea and Endoceratoidea. Morphotypes were chosen from several traditional orders and include endogastric cyrtocones (Ellesmerocerida and Discosorida), exogastric cyrtocones (Oncocerida), and longi-orthocones (Orthocerida and Endocerida). The extant nautilid, Nautilus pompilius, was also modeled as a reference for the hydrostatics of the Paleozoic cephalopods. All cyrtocone models have similar hydrostatic stability to the Nautilus and only the ellesmerocerid was found to be negatively buoyant. The hydrostatics of the neutrally buoyant cyrtocones suggests that they behaved as relatively poor-swim-ming demersal or nekto-benthic predators. This mode of life aligns with the largely ner-itic distribution of individuals belonging to these clades in the Paleozoic. In contrast, the orthocones studied were all capable of neutral buoyancy, much more stable than the Nautilus model, and all had vertical syn vivo orientations in a static setting. The hydrostatic properties of these morphotypes and their largely pelagic distribution support their role as vertical migrants. However, adapically distributed cameral deposits and endosiphuncular deposits would reduce stability, easing deviation from a vertical orientation. These adaptations, along with dorsal color patterns on some species, suggest that active locomotion in orthocones may have been more important than previously thought.
Repository Citation
Peterman, D. J.,
Barton, C. C.,
& Yacobucci, M. M.
(2019). The hydrostatics of paleozoic ectocochleate cephalopods (Nautiloidea and endoceratoidea) with implications for modes of life and early colonization of the pelagic zone. Palaeontologia Electronica.
https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/ees/137
DOI
10.26879/884
