Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Scleroecology: Implications for ecotypical dwarfism in oxygen-restricted environments (Middle Devonian, Rheinisches Schiefergebirge)

Scleroökologie: Implikationen für ökologisch bedingten Zwergwuchs in sauerstoff-restriktiver Fazies (Mitteldevon, Rheinisches Schiefergebirge)

  • Published:
Senckenbergiana lethaea Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Body sizes of brachiopods and planktonic tentaculites (dacryoconarids) decrease continuously during the Upper Eifelian. This feature is closely related to theotomari Event and the subsequent black shale period, resulting from lowered oxygen levels worldwide in most parts of the marine ecosystem. It is assumed here that low oxygen availability limited physiological processes and, consequently, the biocalcification rate of some species adapted to elevated levels of aeration. Environmentally suppressed specimens are very small (ecotypical dwarfs), though different species react in different ways to changing environmental conditions. Possibilities of deciphering ecological information stored in hardparts of all organisms that cyclically produce skeletal material, are emphasized. This is also true for fossil material.

Kurzfassung

Im Verlauf des späten Eifeliums nimmt die durchschnittliche Körpergröße von z. B. Brachiopoden und planktonischen Tentaculiten (Dacryoconariden) kontinuierlich ab. Das ist offenbar eng mit demotomari-Event und seinen Folgen, also mit weltweit in bestimmten Teilen des marinen Ökosystems reduzierten Sauerstoffgehalten verbunden. Die Verfügbarkeit von Sauerstoff limitiert ganz offensichtlich physiologische Prozesse und damit auch die Biokalzifizierungsrate solcher Arten, die an höhere Sauerstoffgehalte adaptiert sind. Umweltbedingt unterdrückte Individuen sind kleinwüchsig (ökotypischer Zwergwuchs). Verschiedene Arten reagieren selbstverständlich unterschiedlich auf veränderte Umweltbedingungen. Die Hartteile aller Organismen, die zyklisch Hartsubstanzen produzieren, enthalten eine große Menge an ökologischen Informationen, die größtenteils weder zugänglich gemacht wurden noch entschlüsselt werden konnten. Perspektiven ökologischer Rekonstruktionen mittels Analyse skelettaler Substanzen bestehen auch im fossilen Milieu.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Becker, B., Kroner, B. &Trimborn, P. (1991): A stable isotope treering timescale of the Late Glacial/Holocene boundary. — Nature,353: 647–649, 2 text-figs; London.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Becker, B. (1993): An 11,000-year German oak and pine dendrochronology for radiocarbon calibration. — Radiocarbon,35: 201–213, 9 text-figs; New Haven.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bitvinskas, T. T. (1974): Dendroclimatizheskye issledovanya, Dendroclimatological research: 172 p.; Leningrad (Gidrometeoisdat).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brett, C. E. &Baird, G. C. (1986): Comparative taphonomy: a key to paleoenvironmental interpretation based on fossil preservation. — Palaios,1: 207–227, 13 text-figs, 4 tabs; Tulsa/Okla.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briffa, K. R., Bartholin, T. S., Eckstein, D., Jones, P. D., Karlėn, W., Schweingruber, F. H. &Zetterberg, P. (1990): A 1,400-year treering record of summer temperatures in Fennoscandia. — Nature,346: 434–439, 4 text-figs, 3 tabs; London.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briffa, K. R., Jones, P. D., Schweingruber, F. H. &Osborn, T. J. (1998): Influence of volcanic eruptions on Northern Hemisphere summer temperature over the past 600 years. — Nature,393: 450–455, 2 text-figs, 2 tabs; London.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briffa, K. R., Jones, P. D., Schweingruber, F. H., Shiyatov, S. G. &Cook, E. R. (1995): Unusual twentieth-century summer warmth in a 1,000-year temperature record from Sibiria. — Nature,376: 156–159, 2 text-figs, 2 tabs; London.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bromley, R. G. &Ekdale, A. A. (1984):Chondrites: a trace fossil indicator of anoxia in sediments. — Science,224: 872–874, 2 text-figs; Washington/D.C.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byers, C. W. (1977): Biofacies patterns in euxinic basins: a general model. — SEPM Spec. Publ.,25: 5–17, 8 text-figs; Tulsa/Okla.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canfield, D. E. &Raiswell, R. (1991): Pyrite formation and fossil preservation. — In:P. A. Allison &D. E. G. Briggs [Eds.], Taphonomy — Releasing the data locked in the fossil record: 337–387, 16 text-figs; New York, London (Plenum).

    Google Scholar 

  • Craig, G. Y. &Hallam, A. (1963): Size-frequency and growth-ring analyses ofMytilus edulis andCardium edule, and their palaeoecological significance. — Palaeontology,6: 731–750, 10 text-figs; London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davenport, C. B. (1938): Growth lines in fossil pectens as indicators of past climates. — J. Paleont.,12: 514–515, Tulsa/Okla.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dodge, R. E. &Vaišnys, J. R. (1975): Hermatypic coral growth banding as environmental recorder. — Nature,258: 706–708, 1 text-fig.; London.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunbar, R. B. &Cole, J. E. [Eds.] (1993), with contr. byHalley, B.,Shen, G.,Wellington, J. &Pätzold, J.: Coral records of oceanatmosphere variability — NOAA Climate and Global Change Program, Spec. Rep.,10: 1–38, 16 text-figs, 2 tabs; Bern.

  • Farrow, G. E. (1971): Periodicity structures in the bivalve shell: experiments to establish growth controls inCerastoderma edule from the Thames estuary. — Palaeontology,14: 571–588, 9 text-figs, 3 tabs, 1 pl.; London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritts, H. C. (1976): Tree rings and climate: 567 p., 172 text-figs, 25 tabs; London etc. (Academic).

  • Hallam, A. (1965): Environmental causes of stunting in living and fossil marine benthonic invertebrates. — Palaeontology,8: 132–155, 1 tab.; London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heiss, G. A., Dullo, W.-C. &Reijmer, J. J. G. (1993): A 200 year sclerochronological record from the red sea: growth rates, stable isotopes and environmental stress. — Abstr. Prog. Geol. Soc. Amer.,25: 161; Boulder/Colo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herreid II, C. F. (1980): Hypoxia in invertebrates. — Comp. Biochem. Physiol.,67A: 311–320, 5 text-figs; Oxford etc.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hopps, H. C. (1977): The biologic bases for using hair and nail for analyses of trace elements. — Sci. Tot. Environm.,7: 71–89, 8 text-figs, 1 tab.; Amsterdam.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hudson, J. H., Shinn, E. A., Halley, R. B. &Lidz, B. (1976): Sclerochronology: A tool for interpreting past environments. — Geology,4: 361–364, 3 text-figs; Boulder/Colo.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, D. S. (1981): Annual growth increments in shells ofSpisula solidissima record marine temperature variability. — Science,211: 165–167, 2 text-figs; Washington/D.C.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, D. S. (1983): Sclerochronology: Reading the record of the molluscan shell. — Amer. Scientist,71: 384–391, 6 text-figs; New Haven.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kempe, S. (1990): Alkalinity: the link between anaerobic basin and shallow water carbonates. — Naturwiss.,77: 426–427, 3 text-figs; Berlin etc.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LaMarche, V. C., Jr. (1974): Paleoclimatic inferences from long tree-ring records. — Science,183: 1043–1048, 7 text-figs; Washington/D. C.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neville, A. C. (1967): Daily growth layers in animals and plants. — Biol. Rev.,42: 421–441, 1 tab.; Cambridge.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pannella, G. &MacClintock, C. (1968): Biological and environmental rhythms reflected in molluscan shell growth. — Paleontol. Soc., Mem.,42: 64–81, 3 text-figs, 3 tabs, 9 pls; Bridgewater.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pätzold, J. (1984): Growth rhythms recorded in stable isotopes and density bands in the reef coralPorites lobata (Cebu, Philippines). — Coral Reefs,3: 87–90, 3 text-figs; Berlin, Heidelberg.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pielou, E. C. (1975): Ecological diversity: 165 p., 21 text-figs, 12 tabs; New York etc. (Wiley & Sons).

    Google Scholar 

  • Radtke, R. L., Showers, W., Moksness, E. &Lenz, P. (1996): Environmental information stored in otoliths: insights from stable isotopes. — Mar. Biol.,127: 161–170, 6 text-figs, 4 tabs; Berlin, Heidelberg.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhoads, D. C. &Morse, J. W. (1971): Evolutionary and ecologic significance of oxygen-deficient marine basins. — Lethaia,4: 413–428, 5 text-figs; Oslo.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhoads, D. C. &Pannella, G. (1970): The use of molluscan shell growth patterns in ecology and paleoecology. — Lethaia,3: 143–161, 9 text-figs, 2 tab.; Oslo.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richter, R. (1931): Tierwelt und Umwelt im Hunsrückschiefer; zur Entstehung eines schwarzen Schlammsteins. — Senckenbergiana,51: 299–342, 16 text-figs; Frankfurt a.M.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savrda, C. E. &Bottjer, D. (1986): Trace-fossil model for reconstruction of paleo-oxygenation in bottom waters. — Geology,14: 3–6, 5 text-figs, 1 tab.; Boulder/Colo.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, H. (1931): Die ursprünglichen Zusammenhänge zwischen Harz und Rheinischem Schiefergebirge. — Die Naturwiss.,19: 911–916, 3 text-figs; Berlin.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, H. (1956): Zur Rangordnung der Faziesbegriffe. — Mitt. Geol. Ges. Wien,49: 333–345; Wien.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schöne, B. R. (1996): Allochrone Variationen beiNowakia (Nowakia) ex gr.otomariBouček &Prantl 1959 (Dacryoconarida, Rheinisches Schiefergebirge). — N. Jb. Geol. Paläont., Mh.,1996 (11): 651–671, 7 text-figs, 2 tabs; Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schöne, B. R. (1997): Derotomari-Event und seine Auswirkungen auf die Fazies des Rhenoherzynischen Schelfs (Devon, Rheinisches Schiefergebirge). — Göttinger Arb. Geol. Paläont.,70: 1–140, 34 text-figs, 1 tab; Göttingen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schöne, B. R. (1998): Anatomy, morphology, physiology and ecological significance of dwarfed trees. — Proc. Int. Conf. Dendrochron. Environ. Trends, Eurodendro 98, 17–21 June, 1998, Kaunas, Lithuania: 209–218; Kaunas.

  • Schöne, B. R. &Schubert, M. (1996): Gekrümmte Dacryoconariden aus der Odershausen-Formation (Mittel-Devon; “Blauer Bruch”, Bad Wildungen, Ense). — Senckenbergiana lethaea,76 (1/2): 121–131, 2 text-figs, 3 pls.; Frankfurt am Main.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schöne, B. R. &Schweingruber, F. H. (1999): Verzwergte Laubhölzer; anatomische und morphologische Besonderheiten sowie ökologische Bedeutung. — Schweiz. Z. Forstwes.,150 (4): 132–141; Zürich.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuhmacher, M., Domingo, J. L., Llobet, J. M. &Corbella, J. (1991): Lead in children’s hair, as related to exposure in Tarragona Province, Spain. — Sci. Tot. Environm.,104: 167–173, 3 tabs; Amsterdam.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schweingruber, F. H. (1983): Der Jahrring. Standort, Methodik, Zeit und Klima in der Dendrochronologie: 234 p.; Bern, Stuttgart (Haupt).

    Google Scholar 

  • Scuderi, L. A. (1993): A 2000-year tree ring record of annual temperatures in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. — Science,259: 1433–1436, 4 text-figs, 2 tabs; Washington/D. C.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shannon, C. E. &Weaver, W. (1949): The mathematical theory of communication: 117 p.; Urbana (University Illinois).

    Google Scholar 

  • Struve, W. (1955): Beiträge zu den Devon-Richtschnitten von Wetteldorf und Schönecken, 8:Grünewaldtia aus dem Schönecker Richtschnitt (Brachiopoda, Mittel-Devon der Eifel). — Senckenbergiana lethaea,36 (3/4): 205–234, 9 text-figs, 4 pls; Frankfurt am Main.

    Google Scholar 

  • Struve, W. (1966): Beiträge zur Kenntnis devonischer Brachiopoden, 15: Einige Atrypinae aus dem Silurium und Devon. — Senckenbergiana lethaea,47 (2): 123–163, 13 text-figs, 1 tab., pls 15–16; Frankfurt am Main.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swart, P. K., Dodge, R. E. &Hudson, H. J. (1996): A 240-year stable oxygen and carbon isotopic record in a coral from south Florida: implications for the prediction of precipitation in southern Florida. — Palaios,11: 362–375, 18 text-figs; Tulsa/Okla.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thorrold, S. R., Jones, C. M. &Campana, S. E. (1997): Response of otolith microchemistry to environmental variations experienced by larval and juvenile Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus). Limnol. Oceanogr,42 (1): 102–111, 6 text-figs, 3 tabs; Waco.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torres, J., Gluck, D. &Childress, J. (1977): Activity and physiological significance of the pleopods in the respiration ofCallianassa californiensis (Dana) (Crustacea: Thalassinidae). — Biol. Bull.,152: 134–146, 2 text-figs, 3 tabs; Lancaster.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, 85721, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Bernd R. Schöne

Authors
  1. Bernd R. Schöne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bernd R. Schöne.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schöne, B.R. Scleroecology: Implications for ecotypical dwarfism in oxygen-restricted environments (Middle Devonian, Rheinisches Schiefergebirge). Senckenbergiana lethaea 79, 35–41 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03043212

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03043212

Key words

Search

Navigation