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Post-mortem ascent of Nautilus shells: implications for cephalopod paleobiogeography

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 February 2016

John A. Chamberlain Jr. ,
Peter D. Ward  and
J. Scott Weaver
John A. Chamberlain Jr.
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Field Museum of Natural History and Department of Fishes, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois 60605
Peter D. Ward
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of California, Davis, California 95616
J. Scott Weaver
Affiliation:
Department of Geological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
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Abstract

Analysis of post-mortem buoyancy loss in Nautilus shells suggests that extensive nekroplanktonic drifting occurs infrequently. Most shells do not reach the surface but settle to the sea floor, after a short period of ascent. This occurs because the rate of water influx into the phragmocone due to ambient hydrostatic pressure is sufficiently rapid in most cases to overcome positive buoyancy before the shell reaches the surface. The resulting geographic distribution of Nautilus shells would therefore mirror the distribution of the live animals. Thus, post-mortem drift in Nautilus cannot be used as a basis for questioning the validity of cephalopod paleobiogeography. Estimate of influx rates in ammonoid siphuncles indicates that many, if not most, ammonoid shells also would not become nekroplanktonic. This is especially true for small (<5 cm diameter) shells. Cephalopod paleobiogeographic investigation appears less subject to criticism stemming from the supposed obfuscating effects of post-mortem drift than previously thought.

Type
Articles
Information
Paleobiology , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , Fall 1981 , pp. 494 - 509
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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References

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