Experimental Taphonomy of Callinectes sapidus and cuticular controls on preservation

Abstract

Examination of remains of Callinectes sapidus deployed in several depth and environmental settings in the Bahamas and Gulf of Mexico as part of the Shelf and Slope Experimental Taphonomy Initiative project revealed that all specimens were uniformly and strongly degraded except those in brine-seep settings. Fragmentation and loss of cuticular material at all sites was correlated to the degree of calcification within the cuticle of different skeletal elements as observed in the undeployed specimens. Claws, tips of the last anterolateral spine, and mandibles were the most durable remains. In brine-seep areas, extraordinary preservation yielded articulated skeletal elements and some soft tissue. Examination of the cuticle in control specimens with cross-polarized light and computed tomographic scanning documents the correspondence of high degrees of calcification with portions of the exoskeleton remaining after deployment.

Publisher

Society for Sedimentary Geology

Publication Date

1-1-2008

Publication Title

PALAIOS

Department

Geology

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.2110/palo.2008.p08-024r

Keywords

Fossil record, Decay, Mineralization, Fossilization, Crustacea, Bahamas, Cuticle

Language

English

Format

text

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