Molluscs part 2 - cephalopods and gastropods Flashcards
What are the most common single shelled molluscs?
Cephalopods and gastropods
What is the shell growth of molluscs like?
Incrementally grown
What 4 parameters are used to define the shell shape of molluscs?
Shape of generating curve or axial ratio of the shell’s cross-sectional ellipse
Rate of whorl expansion per revolution (W)
Position of generating curve with respect to axis (X)
Whorl translation rate (T)
How can different shapes of shell be produced in bivalves?
whorl translation (T) =0 but whorl
expansion (W) is very high
How can different shapes of shell be produced in gastropods?
gastropods controlled by translation rate (T)
What is the underlying reason for why shells of molluscs do not occupy all morphospace?
Iterative evolution
What is iterative evolution?
The resurgence/ reoccurrence of morphologies throughout evolution
What is an example of iterative evolution of molluscs?
Ammonite in the Jurassic and the Nautiloid in the Silurian
How is the Cephalopoda class divided?
Into 3 subclasses:
1. Coleoidea
2. Nautiloidea
3. Ammonoidea
What is the age range of coleoidea?
Carboniferous to recent
What are some examples of coleoidea?
Octopuses
Squid
Cuttlefish
Paper nautilus
What is the fossil record of coleoidea like?
Typically poor due to being soft bodied except paper-nautilus
What is the paper nautilus?
Type of coleoidea which has a very thin mineralised exoskeleton for reproductive purposes
What will the mineralisation of coleoidea typically be?
Internal (besides Argonauta)
What is the scientific name of the paper-nautilus
Argonauta
What are the belemnites?
Geologically important group of molluscs with a bullet shape
What are the three components of belemnites?
Bullet shaped guard
Alveolus
Pro-ostracum
What is the bullet guard?
massive cylinder of calcite
formed through concentric growth
Why are belemnites so important?
Used as a standard for Jurassic ocean composition
What is the Alveolus of belemnites?
A hollow in the anterior end
What is the alveolus filled by?
anteriorly expanding phragmocone
formed from aragonite
What will aragonites and calcite look in fossil sample?
Aragonite is shiny
Calcite is dull
What does the pro-ostracum look like?
Flattened spatula (used as protection)
In what direction does the pro-ostracum project?
Anteriorly