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https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/28043
Title: | Exploring abnormal Cambrian-aged trilobites in the Smithsonian collection | Contributor(s): | Bicknell, Russell D C (author) ; Pates, Stephen (author) | Publication Date: | 2020-02-03 | Open Access: | Yes | DOI: | 10.7717/peerj.8453 | Handle Link: | https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/28043 | Abstract: | Biomineralised trilobite exoskeletons provide a 250 million year record of abnormalities in one of the most diverse arthropod groups in history. One type of abnormality-repaired injuries-have allowed palaeobiologists to document records of Paleozoic predation, accidental damage, and complications in moulting experienced by the group. Although Cambrian trilobite injuries are fairly well documented, the illustration of new injured specimens will produce a more complete understanding of Cambrian prey items. To align with this perspective, nine new abnormal specimens displaying healed injuries from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History collection are documented. The injury pattern conforms to the suggestion of lateralised prey defence or predator preference, but it is highlighted that the root cause for such patterns is obscured by the lumping of data across different palaeoecological and environmental conditions. Further studies of Cambrian trilobites with injuries represent a key direction for uncovering evidence for the Cambrian escalation event. | Publication Type: | Journal Article | Grant Details: | ARC/DP200102005 | Source of Publication: | PeerJ, v.8, p. 1-20 | Publisher: | PeerJ, Ltd | Place of Publication: | United Kingdom | ISSN: | 2167-8359 | Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: | 040308 Palaeontology (incl. Palynology) | Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: | 370506 Palaeontology (incl. palynology) | Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: | 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences | Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: | 280102 Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences | Peer Reviewed: | Yes | HERDC Category Description: | C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal |
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Appears in Collections: | Journal Article School of Environmental and Rural Science School of Science and Technology |
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openpublished/ExploringBicknell2020JournalArticle.pdf | Published version | 4.08 MB | Adobe PDF Download Adobe | View/Open |
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