The Trace-Fossil Record of Vertebrates

Hasiotis, Stephen T.; Platt, Brian F.; Hembree, Daniel I.; Everhart, Michael J.

doi:10.1016/b978-044452949-7/50138-8

Cited by 74 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Aestivation is a state of torpor often associated with arid conditions at high environmental temperature and without food or water intake for an extended period. It is characterized mainly by physical inactivity and low metabolic rate (Pinder et al, 1992;Hasiotis et al, 2007;Withers and Cooper, 2010). In nature, aestivation can occur inside a subterranean mud cocoon.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aestivation induces changes in transcription and translation of coagulation factor II and fibrinogen gamma chain in the liver of the African lungfish,Protopterus annectens

Hiong

Tan

Boo

et al. 2015

Journal of Experimental Biology

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This study aimed to sequence and characterize two pro-coagulant genes, coagulation factor II ( f2) and fibrinogen gamma chain ( fgg), from the liver of the African lungfish Protopterus annectens, and to determine their hepatic mRNA expression levels during three phases of aestivation. The protein abundance of F2 and Fgg in the liver and plasma was determined by immunoblotting. The results indicated that F2 and Fgg of P. annectens were phylogenetically closer to those of amphibians than those of teleosts. Three days of aestivation resulted in an up-regulation in the hepatic fgg mRNA expression level, while 6 days of aestivation led to a significant increase (3-fold) in the protein abundance of Fgg in the plasma. Hence, there could be an increase in the blood-clotting ability in P. annectens during the induction phase of aestivation. By contrast, the blood-clotting ability in P. annectens might be reduced in response to decreased blood flow and increased possibility of thrombosis during the maintenance phase of aestivation, as 6 months of aestivation led to significant decreases in mRNA expression levels of f2 and fgg in the liver. There could also be a decrease in the export of F2 and Fgg from the liver to the plasma so as to avert thrombosis. Three to 6 days after arousal from 6 months of aestivation, the protein abundance of F2 and Fgg recovered partially in the plasma of P. annectens; a complete recovery of the transcription and translation of f2/F2 in the liver might occur only after refeeding.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aestivation induces changes in transcription and translation of coagulation factor II and fibrinogen gamma chain in the liver of the African lungfish,Protopterus annectens

Hiong

Tan

Boo

et al. 2015

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…Terrestrial environments and ecosystems of the past can be better understood with the use of neoichological studies, which allow the connection of burrow morphologies to tracemakers (Hasiotis, 2007;Hasiotis et al, 2007). Documenting the burrow morphologies, burrowing techniques, and behaviors of extant species enables an accurate assessment of possible tracemakers and thus the presence of an organism without requiring body fossils.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Interpretations of the identity and behavior of the trace-making organism can be made aided by the analysis of trace fossil morphology (Bromley, 1996). In doing so, biodiversity can be estimated from trace fossil assemblages, improving interpretations made from body fossils alone since trace fossils record the presence of organisms inhabiting environments with low preservation potential such as soils (Bromley, 1996;Hasiotis, 2007;Hasiotis et al, 2007). Trace fossil morphology is also controlled by the environmental conditions under which the trace was produced allowing for the interpretation of conditions that cannot be determined from the physical sedimentary record (Bromley, 1996;Hasiotis, 2007;MacEachern et al, 2007b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

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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“…In Cenozoic sand-dominated sequences, the tracks of ungulates and proboscideans have been largely studied in cross-section, though bedding-plane expressions (impressions or casts) also exist (Loope 1986;Lea 1996;Milàn et al 2007b). Whereas laboratory experiments on track morphology and preservations are being increasingly undertaken, there is a need for neoichnological studies of modern vertebrate tracks in their natural environmental context (Laporte, Behrensmeyer 1980;Martin 2003;Milàn, Bromley 2006;Hasiotis et al 2007;Genise et al 2009;Platt et al 2012;Platt, Hasiotis 2014). Holocene coastal environments (beaches, dunes, inlet channel margins) and their sedimentary sequences provide ready access to a variety of mammalian and avian traces and serve as modern analogues of numerous coastal formations in the rock record.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent vertebrate tracks in sandy substrates and their paleoenvironmental implications: examples from coastal Lithuania

Buynevich

2015

Baltica

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A diverse suite of vertebrate footprints documented along the coast of Lithuania offers insight into the distribution and preservation potential of tracks in sandy substrates. Whereas ichnotaxonomy is not conventionally applied to modern tracks, a case is made for using footprint classification based on Vialov’s (1966) nomenclature to both observed and predicted track distribution based on extramorphological characteristics of the tracemaker. Along a barrier spit (Curonian Spit) and mainland shoreline (Būtingė) sites, two general types of avian footprints (Avipeda sp), as well as three carnivore (Bestiopeda), four ungulate (Pecoripeda, Suipeda, Hippipeda), and two rodent (Rodentipeda) track morphotypes are described. The habitat preferences result in a predictable distribution of track assemblages with a potential of differentiating vertebrate ichnofacies (lagoon shoreline, open sea beach, dunes). The moisture content, possibility of freezing and rapid aeolian burial, and lithological anomalies (e.g., heavy-mineral concentrations) enhance the preservation potential of tracks. Once preserved, the attitude of trackways in respect to bedding surfaces determines their integrity and here a model of potential regional track distribution is proposed. Track formation and preservation in modern settings provides a useful guide to locating and studying vertebrate footprints and other traces in sand-dominated coastal and aeolian sequences.

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The Trace-Fossil Record of Vertebrates

Cited by 74 publications

References 48 publications

Aestivation induces changes in transcription and translation of coagulation factor II and fibrinogen gamma chain in the liver of the African lungfish,Protopterus annectens

Aestivation induces changes in transcription and translation of coagulation factor II and fibrinogen gamma chain in the liver of the African lungfish,Protopterus annectens

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

Recent vertebrate tracks in sandy substrates and their paleoenvironmental implications: examples from coastal Lithuania

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