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Predator-induced macroevolutionary trends in Mesozoic crinoids.

Przemyslaw Gorzelak¹, Mariusz A Salamon, Tomasz K Baumiller

¹Department of Biogeology, Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-00-818 Warsaw, Poland. pgorzelak@twarda.pan.pl

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|April 18, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Sea urchin predation significantly impacted ancient crinoid diversity throughout the Mesozoic era. Crinoid motility evolved as a defense against increasing sea urchin predation pressure.

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Area of Science:

Paleontology
Marine Biology
Echinoderm Evolution

Background:

Sea urchins are crucial marine grazers and predators.
Inferring sea urchin predation impact on ancient crinoids is challenging from the fossil record.

Observation:

Analysis of bite marks on fossil crinoid columnals and diversity data reveals predation patterns.
Mesozoic sea urchin diversity correlated with crinoid predation intensity.

Findings:

Mesozoic predatory sea urchin diversity positively correlated with motile crinoid diversity.
Mesozoic predatory sea urchin diversity negatively correlated with sessile crinoid diversity.
Crinoid motility appears to be an effective escape strategy against predation.

Implications:

Mesozoic crinoid diversity history is likely a macroevolutionary response to sea urchin predation.
This predation pressure may have shaped modern crinoid diversity, favoring motile forms.