The Effect of Synsedimentary Substrate Modification on the Composition of Paleocommunities: Paleoecologic Succession Revisited

Palaeoecology and evolution of marine hard substrate communities

“…Allogenic successions are much more common in the fossil record of hard substrate communities. For example, hardground communities can develop through several stages in response to early diagenetic cementation of the substrate (Goldring and Kazmierczak, 1974;Gruszczynski, 1979Gruszczynski, , 1986Walker and Diehl, 1986;Goldring, 1995), cave faunas can change over time with increasing sedimentation and restriction of the environment (Wilson, 1998), and reefs and bioherms respond to changes in sea levels and climate (Toomey and Cys, 1979;Crame, 1980;Williams, 1980;Nakazawa, 2001). Physical changes primarily control these successions, but biotic interactions such as larval recruitment strategies and competition are still critical.…”

The Genus Steinmanella (Bivalvia, Trigonioida) in the Lower Member of the Agrio Formation (Lower Cretaceous), Neuquén Basin, Argentina

“…The Steinmanella beds are interpreted as colonization events of the muddy bottom that occurred periodically during increased ox ygen levels and reduced net sedimentation or brief omission pe riods. The low net sedimentation would have allowed benthic suspension-feeders to filter without clogging, and perhaps changed the consistency of the substrate after its initial deposition (synsedimentary modification) with a gradual decrease in water content allowing it to become firmer and more suitable for bur rowing (Walker and Diehl, 1986;Wignall, 1993).…”