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Malformed trilobites from the Ordovician and Devonian

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Abstract

Trilobite malformations are often ascribed to failed predation and represent key evidence for Paleozoic arthropod predator–prey systems. A large number of malformed trilobites are known to Cambrian-aged deposits and have recently been discussed at length. Conversely, most post-Cambrian records are noted as anecdotal points within larger taxonomic works. To expand the consideration of post-Cambrian injured trilobites, we report two malformed Ogygiocarella debuchii specimens from the Middle Ordovician of Wales and a heavily malformed Spiniscutellum umbelliferum specimen from the Early Devonian of the Czech Republic. These specimens are considered to represent records of failed predation. In considering these specimens, we explore possible injury-making groups, in particular noting that S. umbelliferum was likely prey for multiple apex predators. Continued examination of injured trilobites represents the main direction for uncovering how this iconic group of biomineralised arthropods interacted with higher tropic levels within Paleozoic foodwebs.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by funding from a UNE Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (to R.D.C.B), a Karl Hirsch Memorial Grant (to R.D.C.B), a James R Welch Scholarship (to R.D.C.B), a Research Training Program Scholarship (to B.H.), and by Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic (DKRVO 2019–2023/2.IV.c, National Museum, 00023272 to J.B.). We thank Mike Reich (Munich) for access to the SNSB-BSPG invertebrate palaeontology collection. Finally, we thank Rui-Wen Zong, Oldřich Fatka, Joachim Haug, and Mike Reich for their comments on the manuscript that improved the text.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Palaeoscience Research Centre, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia

    Russell D. C. Bicknell & Brayden Holland

  2. Palaeontology Department, Australian Museum Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia

    Patrick M. Smith

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia

    Patrick M. Smith

  4. Department of Palaeontology, National Museum, Cirkusová 1740, 193 00, Prague 9, Czech Republic

    Jana Bruthansová

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  1. Russell D. C. Bicknell
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Correspondence to Russell D. C. Bicknell.

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Bicknell, R.D.C., Smith, P.M., Bruthansová, J. et al. Malformed trilobites from the Ordovician and Devonian. PalZ 96, 1–10 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12542-021-00572-9

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