Biogenic Structures of Burrowing Skinks: Neoichnology of Mabuya multifaciata (Squamata: Scincidae)

Catena, Angeline M.; Hembree, Daniel I.

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-8721-5_14

Cited by 11 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…The numerical value representing the degree of similarity ranges from 0.0 (most dissimilar) to 1.0 (identical). Burrows with a similarity value of 1.0 were considered identical whereas values between 0.9-0.8 were highly similar, 0.7-0.6 were moderately similar, and ≤ 0.5 were dissimilar (e.g., Hembree et al, 2012: Hembree, 2013Bowen and Hembree, 2014;Catena and Hembree, 2014;Dzenowski and Hembree, 2014;Hils and Hembree, 2015). These analyses were performed to determine if the toads produced consistent, repeatable burrow morphologies.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These analyses were performed to determine if the toads produced consistent, repeatable burrow morphologies. The Bray-Curtis test was then used to compare the toad burrow casts to the burrow casts of other animals obtained in previously conducted experiments including scorpions (Hembree, 2014), salamanders (Dzenowski and Hembree, 2014), and skinks (Catena and Hembree, 2014). These analyses were used to evaluate the relative uniqueness of toad burrow morphology.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mabuya multifasciata uses an intrusion burrowing technique (Catena and Hembree, 2014). Burrowing by intrusion tends to produce burrows with dimensions that closely match the dimensions of the tracemaker and may also possess compression linings (Bromley 1996;Catena and Hembree, 2014). Hembree and Hasiotis (2006) and Hembree (2009) observed this relationship with other soil-burrowing animals such as amphisbaenians and millipedes, respectively.…”

Section: Burrow Morphology and Behaviormentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Burrows produced by Mabuya multifasciata serve as temporary, subsurface dwelling structures (Catena and Hembree, 2014). Mabuya multifasciata uses an intrusion burrowing technique (Catena and Hembree, 2014).…”

Section: Burrow Morphology and Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Burrow Morphology and Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neoichnology of the eastern spadefoot toad, Scaphiopus holbrookii (Anura: Scaphiopodidae): criteria for recognizing anuran burrows in the fossil record

Johnson

Hembree

2015

Palaeontologia Electronica

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Anurans first appear in the Early Jurassic, and although terrestrial anurans are considered to be ancestral, their early record is less understood than that of aquatic forms. Many extant terrestrial anurans produce burrows to escape unfavorable environmental conditions. Fossil anuran burrows could, therefore, serve as proxies for the presence of anurans if their morphology was known. The eastern spadefoot toad, Scaphiopus holbrookii (Anura: Scaphiopodidae), belongs to one of four groups of burrowing terrestrial anurans. This study describes the burrowing behaviors of S. holbrookii as well as the qualitative and quantitative morphology of their burrows produced in laboratory experiments with varying sediment conditions. The toads used a hindlimb-first burrowing technique moving a minimal amount of sediment to the surface. Three distinct architectures were produced: isolated, ovoid chambers, vertical shafts with ovoid chambers, and subvertical shafts with ovoid chambers. The shapes and sizes of the burrow chambers were similar to the occupying toad. Impressions on the burrow walls were produced by the hindlimbs and feet of the toads. Qualitative burrow morphology was consistent between individuals and experiments. Quantitative properties of the toad burrows were compared statistically to each other and to burrows of scorpions, salamanders, and skinks. Spadefoot toad burrows were similar to each other and different from those of the other animals. The results of this study will aid in the identification of anuran burrows in the fossil record by providing an analog for comparison. Application of this data can improve the understanding of the evolution of terrestrial anurans, their behavior, and paleoenvironmental significance.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%