Data from: Test flattening in the larger foraminifer Heterostegina depressa: predicting bathymetry from axial sections
Data files
Jul 07, 2017 version files 12.05 KB
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Supplementary Data3.xlsx
Jul 26, 2017 version files 856.33 KB
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Supplementary Data1.xlsx
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Supplementary Data3.xlsx
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SupplementaryData2.doc
Abstract
Previous attempts to quantify the test flattening trend in Heterostegina depressa with water depth have been rather unsuccessful. Due to its broad depth distribution, H. depressa is a perfect model species to calibrate test flattening as a bathymetric signal for fossil assemblages. This might enable us to better reconstruct palaeoenvironments of fossil larger foraminiferal communities or even provide clues on the degree of transport in allochthonous deposits. In this study we used growth-independent functions to describe the change of test thickness throughout ontogeny. Four growth-invariant characters, deriving from these functions, clearly quantify a transition of individuals with thicker to thinner central parts along the water depth gradient. This is probably controlled by light intensity because the photosymbionts of H. depressa (diatoms) are most effective at low irradiation levels. Thus, shallower specimens grow thicker to reduce light penetration, whereas specimens living deeper than the light optimum increase their surface by flattening to obtain a better light exposure.