Hoyal Cuthill, Jennifer F and Conway Morris, Simon (2017) Nutrient-dependent growth underpinned the Ediacaran transition to large body size. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 1 (8). pp. 1201-1204. DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-017-0222-7
Hoyal Cuthill, Jennifer F and Conway Morris, Simon (2017) Nutrient-dependent growth underpinned the Ediacaran transition to large body size. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 1 (8). pp. 1201-1204. DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-017-0222-7
Hoyal Cuthill, Jennifer F and Conway Morris, Simon (2017) Nutrient-dependent growth underpinned the Ediacaran transition to large body size. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 1 (8). pp. 1201-1204. DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-017-0222-7
Abstract
Macroscale rangeomorph fossils, with characteristic branching fronds, appear (571 Myr ago) after the Gaskiers glaciation (580 Myr ago). However, biological mechanisms of size growth and potential connections to ocean geochemistry were untested. Using micro-computerized tomography and photographic measurements, alongside mathematical and computer models, we demonstrate that growth of rangeomorph branch internodes declined as their relative surface area decreased. This suggests that frond size and shape were directly responsive to nutrient uptake.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Animals; Invertebrates; Body Size; Diet; Fossils; Biological Evolution |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Science and Health Faculty of Science and Health > Life Sciences, School of |
| SWORD Depositor: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
| Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
| Date Deposited: | 19 Nov 2019 11:43 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Oct 2024 19:16 |
| URI: | http://repository.essex.ac.uk/id/eprint/25759 |
Available files
Filename: Hoyal_Cuthill_Conway_Morris_2017_Accepted%20Version.pdf