Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Planetary rotation and invertebrate skeletal patterns: Prospects for extant taxa

  • Published:
Geophysical surveys Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It has been two decades since Wells proposed that the duration of absolute geologic time could be estimated using growth patterns found in fossil corals. Since then, the temporal and environmental records encoded in the accretionary skeletons of other invertebrates also have been studied. Although extensive research on the significance of skeletal patterns has been done on bivalved molluscs, other taxa such as the brachiopods, bryozoans, cephalopods and echinoderms are in need of further study. For two taxa, the nautiloids and brachiopods, additional growth pattern data are presented here. These data indicate that erroneous geophysical conclusions about the length of the synodic lunar month were previously reached using what now appear to be unfounded assumptions about the temporal significance of their growth patterns. Assumptions regarding the temporal and environmental information contained in the skeletons of these poorly studied taxa need to be replaced by more extensive analyses using standardized techniques. Only then will we arrive at correct conclusions about the dynamical history of the Earth-Moon system.

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

  • Barker, R. M.: 1964, ‘Microtextural Variations in Pelecypod Shells’,Malacologia 2, 69–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, W. B. N. and Barker, R. M.: 1975, ‘Growth Increments in Fossil and Modern Bivalves’, in Rosenberg, G. D. and Runcorn, S. K. (eds.)Growth Rhythms and the History of the Earth's Rotation, John Wiley and Sons, New York, pp. 9–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonham, K.: 1965, ‘Growth Rate of Giant ClamTridacna gigas at Bikini Atoll as Revealed by Radioautography’,Science 149, 300–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourget, E.: 1980, ‘Barnacle Shell Growth and its Relationship to Environmental Factor’ in Rhoads, D. C. and Lutz, R. A. (eds.),Skeletal Growth of Aquatic Organisms, Plenum Press, New York, pp. 469–491.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, G. R.: 1968, ‘Mollusk Shell: Daily Growth Lines’,Science,161, 800–802.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, G. R.: 1974, ‘Growth Lines in Invertebrate Skeletons’,Annu. Rev. Earth Planet., Sci. 2, 77–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, G. R.: 1980a, ‘Study of Molluscan Shell Structure and Growth Lines Using Thin Sections’, in Rhoads, D. C. and Lutz, R. A. (eds.),Skeletal Growth of Aquatic Organisms Plenum Press, New York, pp. 603–606.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, G. R. 1980b, ‘Techniques for Observing the Organic Matrix of Molluscan Shells’, in Rhoads, D. C. and Lutz, R. A. (ed.),Skeletal Growth of Aquatic Organisms, Plenum Press, New York, pp. 607–612.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cochran, J. K., Rye, D. M., and Landman, N. H.: 1981, ‘Growth Rate and Habitat ofNautilus pompilius Inferred from Radioactive and Stable Isotope Studies’,Paleobiology 7, 469–480.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crabtree, D. M., Clausen, C. D., and Roth, A. A.: 1980, ‘Consistency in Growth Line Counts in Bivalve Specimens’,Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol., Palaeoecol. 29, 323–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craig, G. Y. and Hallam, A.: 1963, ‘Size-Frequency and Growth Ring Analysis ofMytilus edulis andCardium edule, and their Paleoecological Significance’,Palaeontology 6, 731–750.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dillon, J. F. and Clark, G. R.: 1980, ‘Growth-line Analysis as a Test for Contemporaneity in Populations’, in Rhoads, D. C. and Lutz, R. A. (eds.),Skeletal Growth of Aquatic Organisms, Plenum Press, New York, pp. 395–415.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dodge, R. E.: 1980, ‘Preparation of Coral Skeletons for Growth Studies’, in Rhoads, D. C. and Lutz, R. A. (ed.),Skeletal Growth of Aquatic Organisms, Plenum Press, New York, pp. 615–618.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolman, J.: 1975, ‘A technique for the Extraction of Environmental and Geophysical Information from Growth Records in Invertebrates and Stromatolites’, in Rosenberg, G. D. and Runcorn, S. K. (eds.),Growth Rhythms and the History of the Earth's Rotation, John Wiley and Sons, New York, pp. 191–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekaratne, S. U. K. and Crisp, D. J.: 1982, ‘Tidal Micro-Growth Bands in Intertidal Gastropod Shells, with an Evaluation of Band-Dating Techniques’,Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B214, 305–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emiliani, C., Hudson, J. H., Shinn, E. A., George, R. Y., and Lidz, B.: 1978, ‘Oxygen and Carbon Isotopic Growth Record in a Reef Coral from the Florida Keys and Deep-Sea Coral from Blake Plateau’Science 202, 627–629.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, J. W.: 1972, ‘Tidal Growth Increments in the cockleClinocardium nuttalli’Science 176, 416–417.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, J. and Carriker, M. R.: 1978, ‘Growth Lines in a Bivalve Mollusk: Subdaity Patterns and Dissolution of the Shell’,Science 202, 519–521.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, K. S.: 1982, ‘Secular Effects of Oceanic Tidal Dissipation on the Moon's Orbit and the Earth's Rotation’,Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 20, 457–480.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, R. A. and Watkins, B.: 1980, ‘Cephalopod Ecology across a late Silurian Shelf Tract’,N. Jb. Geol. Palaont. Abh. 160, 96–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, R. A. and Hurst, J. M.: 1983, ‘Aspects of the Ecology of Actinocerid Cephalopods’,N. Jb. Geol. Palaont. Abh. 165, 362–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, W. W.: 1979, ‘Matters Arising: Nautiloid Growth Rhythms and Lunar Dynamics’,Nature 279, 453–454.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, W. W.: 1981, ‘Shell Ornamentation in Fossil Nautiloids: a Problem for Earth-Moon Dynamics’ (abstr.),Geol Soc. Am. Abstr. 13(7), 477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, W. W. and Clausen, C. D.: 1980, ‘Variability in the Formation and Detection of Growth Increments in Bivalve Shells’Paleobiology 6, 503–511.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, W. W. and Rosenberg, G. D.: 1983, ‘Environmental Significance of Growth Increments in the Living BrachiopodTerebratalia transversa (abstr.)’,Geol. Soc. Am. Abstr. 15(4), 225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, W. W., Maddigan, P. J., and Runcorn, S. K.: 1980, ‘Nautiloid Shell Growth Rhythms?: Data from British Museum (Natural History) Specimens (abstr.)’.Geol Soc. Am. Abstr. 12(7), 452.

    Google Scholar 

  • Isley, F. B.: 1913, ‘A Fifteen Year Growth record in Fresh-Water Mussels’,Ecology 12, 616–619.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, D. S. and Thompson, I.: 1979, ‘Matters Arising: Nautiloid Growth Rhythms, and Lunar Dynamics’,Nature 279, 454–455.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, P. G. K. and Pompea, S. M.: 1978, ‘Nautiloid Growth Rhythms and Dynamical Evolution of the Earth-Moon System’,Nature 275, 606–611.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, P. G. K., Pompea, S. M., and Culver, R. B.: 1978, ‘Paleoastronomy’,The Astronomy Quarterly 2, 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennish, M. J., Lutz, R. A., and Rhoads, D. C.: 1980, ‘Preparation of Acetate Peels and Fractured Sections for Observation, of Growth Patterns within the Bivalve Shell’, in Rhoads, D. C. and Lutz, R. A. (ed.),Skeletal Growth of Aquatic Organisms, Plenum Press, New York, pp. 597–601.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knutson, D. W., Buddemeier, R. W., and Smith, S. V.: 1972, ‘Coral Chronometers: Seasonal Growth Bands in Reef Corals’,Science 177, 270–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lutz, R. A. and Rhoads, D. C.: 1977, ‘Aneaerobiosis and a Theory of Growth Line Formation’,Science 198, 1222–1227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lutz, R. A. and Rhoads, D. C.: 1980, ‘Growth Patterns within the Molluscan Shell’, in Rhoads, D. C. and Lutz, R. A. (eds.),Skeletal Growth of Aquatic Organisms, Plenum Press, New York, pp. 203–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma, T. Y. H.: 1934, ‘On the Seasonal Change of Growth in a Reef Coral,Favia speciosa (Dana) and Water Temperature of the Japanese Seas during the Latest Geological Times’Proc. Imp. Acad. Tokyo 10, 353–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacKinnon, D. I. and Williams, A.: 1974, ‘Shell Structure of Terebratulid Brachiopods’,Palaeontology 17, 179–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, A. W., Catala-Stucki, I. and Ward, P. D.: 1978, ‘The Growth Rate and Reproductive Behavior ofNautilus macromphalus’,N. Jb. Geol. Palaont. Abh. 156 207–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazzullo, S. J.: 1971, ‘Length of the Year during the Silurian and Devonian Periods: New Values’,Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 82, 1085–1086.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neville, A. C.: 1967, ‘Daily Growth Layers in Animals and Plants’,Biol. Rev. 42, 421–441.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olive, P. J. W.: 1980, ‘Growth Lines in Polychaete Jaws (Teeth)’, in Rhoads D. C. and Lutz, R. A. (eds.),Skeletal Growth of Aquatic Organisms’, Plenum Press, New York, pp. 561–592.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orton, J. H.: 1923, ‘On the Significance of ‘Rings’ on the Shells ofCardium and other Molluscs’,Nature 112, 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pannella, G.: 1972, ‘Paleontological Evidence on the Earth's Rotational History Since Early Precambrian’,Astrophys. Space. Sci. 16, 212–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pannella, G. and MacClintock, C.: 1968, ‘Biological and Environmental Rhythms Reflected in Molluscan Shell Growth’,J. Paleont., Mem.,42, 64–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pope, J.: 1976, ‘Comparative Morphology and Shell Histology of the Ordovician Strophomenacea (Brachiopoda)’,Paleontogr. Am. 8(49), 129–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhoads, D. C. and Lutz, R. A.: 1980,Skeletal Growth of Aquatic Organisms, Plenum Press, New York, 750 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhoads, D. C. and Pannella, G.: 1970, ‘The Use of Molluscan Shell Growth Patterns in Ecology and Paleoecology’,Lethia 3, 143–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, G. D.: 1980, ‘An Ontogenetic Approach to the Environmental Significance of Bivalve Shell Chemistry’, in Rhoads, D. C. and Lutz, R. A. (eds.),Skeletal Growth of Aquatic Organisms Plenum Press, New York, pp. 133–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, G. D. and Jones, C. B.: 1975, ‘Approaches to Chemical Periodicities in Molluscs and Stromatolites’, in Rosenberg G. D. and Runcorn, S. K. (eds.),Growth Rhythms and the History of the Earth's Rotation, John Wiley and Sons, New York, pp. 223–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, G. D. and Runcorn, S. K.: 1975,Growth Rhythms and the History of the Earth's Rotation, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 559 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, G. D., Ashton, M., Hewitt, R., and Simmons, D. J.: 1980, ‘Application of Normalized Power Spectra to the Analysis of Chemical and Structural Growth Patterns’, in Rhoads, D. C. and Lutz, R. A. (eds.),Skeletal Growth of Aquatic Organisms, Plenum Press, New York, pp. 675–686.

    Google Scholar 

  • Runcorn, S. K.: 1964, ‘Changes in the Earth's Moment of Inertia’Nature 204, 823–825.

    Google Scholar 

  • Runcorn, S. K.: 1966, ‘Corals as Paleontological Clocks’,Scient. Am. 215, 26–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Runcorn, S. K.: 1979, ‘Matters Arising: Nautiloid Growth Rhythms and Lunar Dynamics’,Nature 279, 452–453.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, W. B. and Ward, P. D.: 1979, ‘Nautiloid Growth and Lunar Dynamics’,Lethaia 12, 172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scrutton, C. T.: 1965, ‘Periodicity in Devonian Coral Growth’,Palaeontology 7, 552–558.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scrutton, C. T.: 1978, ‘Periodic Growth Features in Fossil Organisms and the Length of the Day and Month’, in Broche, P. and Sundermann, J. (eds.),Tidal Friction and the Earth's Rotation, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 154–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scrutton, C. T. and Hipkin, R. G.: 1973, ‘Long-Term Changes in the Rotation Rate of the Earth’,Earth Science Reviews 9, 259–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shuster, C. N., Jr.: 1951, ‘On the Formation of Mid-Season Checks in the Shell ofMya’,Anat. Rec. 111 127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang, S. F.: 1941, ‘The Breeding of the ScallopPecten maximus (L.) with a Note on the Growth Rate’,Proc. Liverpool Biol. Soc. 54, 9–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ursula, O.: 1981, ‘Effect of Simulated Tidal Patterns on Growth and Growth Line Formation in the Little Neck Clam,Protothaca staminea’ Thesis, Loma Linda University, California, 39 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, P., Greenwald, L., and Magnier, Y.: 1981, ‘The Chamber Formation Cycle inNautilus macromphalus’Paleobiology 7, 481–493.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, J. N.: 1969, ‘Origin of Concentric Banding in the Spines of the Tropical, EchinoidHeterocentrotus’,Pacific Science 23, 452–466.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, J. W.: 1963, ‘Coral Growth and Geochronometry’,Nature 197, 948–950.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weymouth, F. W., McMillin, J. C., and Rich, W. H.: 1931, ‘Latitude and Relative Growth in the Razor Clam,Siliqua patula’,J. Exp. Biol. 8, 228–249.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology Department, Andrews University, 49104, Berrien Springs, MI, USA

    W. William Hughes

Authors
  1. W. William Hughes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hughes, W.W. Planetary rotation and invertebrate skeletal patterns: Prospects for extant taxa. Geophysical Surveys 7, 169–183 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01450887

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01450887

Keywords

Search

Navigation