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Advancing Research on Living and Fossil Cephalopods pp 273–293Cite as

Recent Advances in Morphometric Approaches to Covariation of Shell Features and the Complexity of Suture Lines in Late Jurassic Ammonites, With Reference to the Major Environments Colonized

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Abstract

We report recent advances concerning a research programme focused on the characterization of suture complexity in ammonoids using the method of fractal analysis (stepline procedure), as well as the covariation between suture complexity, shell geometry and sculpture, paying attention to assumed major environments colonized by Late Jurassic ammonites. The application of the logarithmic spiral model and Fourier descriptors of whorl section have improved our previous characterization of shell morphology. In 507 specimens analysed, significant differences in fractal dimension (D f ) mean values were observed according to shell coiling, the shape of whorl section and flanks, the sculpture, and the ratio of outer surface to inner volume (S: V) of the chambers being especially determinant. Factor analysis shows a complex covariation between shell features and suture complexity, which determines a heterogeneous distribution of D f values within the ammonite morphospace. In addition, the results obtained indicate that suture complexity was not directly related to bathymetry, and/or that there were no major differences in habitat depths between epicontinental and epioceanic ammonites. Finally, we envisage the potential resolution of fractals in the analysis of suture complexity in ammonoids, as well as the potential interpretation of suture complexity in ecological terms, facing the future research in this field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Estratigrafia y Paleontología Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada Campus de Fuentenueva, E-18002, Granada, Spain

    Federico Olóriz

  2. Departamento de Ecologia y Geologia (Área de Paleontologia) Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga Campus de Teatinos, E-29071, Málaga, Spain

    Paul Palmqvist & Juan A. Pérez-Claros

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  1. Federico Olóriz
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  2. Paul Palmqvist
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  3. Juan A. Pérez-Claros
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  1. University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    Federico Olóriz  & Francisco J. Rodríguez-Tovar  & 

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Olóriz, F., Palmqvist, P., Pérez-Claros, J.A. (1999). Recent Advances in Morphometric Approaches to Covariation of Shell Features and the Complexity of Suture Lines in Late Jurassic Ammonites, With Reference to the Major Environments Colonized. In: Olóriz, F., Rodríguez-Tovar, F.J. (eds) Advancing Research on Living and Fossil Cephalopods. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4837-9_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4837-9_21

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