@misc{10481/92045,
year = {2024},
month = {1},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/92045},
abstract = {Exceptional paleosurfaces preserving fecal casting mounds occur in the Upper Jurassic Lastres
Formation of Spain. As in modern shorelines, these biogenic structures are associated with straight
to sinuous-crested ripples showing the interplay of biological and physical processes in a low-energy
marine environment. These trace fossils display characteristics, distribution, and densities like those
of modern arenicolid populations (approximately 35 specimens per m2).
Under close examination,
these fecal casting mounds are morphologically undistinguishable from those produced by recent
arenicolids (e.g. Arenicola marina, Abarenicola pacifica), providing evidence of the presence of these
polychaetes in the Late Jurassic. As their modern counterparts, fossil arenicolids very likely modified
their environment generating a seabed topography and impacting ancient benthic communities,
sediment characteristics, and sediment biogeochemistry. Although the presence of oxic microhabitats
and biogeochemical processes cannot be accurately measured in the fossil record, comparison with
the work of modern populations allows to make inferences on sediment reworking and bioirrigation
potential. In addition, association with grazing trails supports the idea of fertilization and modulation
of food resources to other species. These paleosurfaces underscore the significance of highfidelity
snapshots in the fossil record (true substrates) to reconstruct past ecologies and sediment
biogeochemistry. A new ichnotaxon, Cumulusichnus asturiensis n. igen. and n. isp., is defined.},
organization = {Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grants 311727–15/20 and 311726–13/422931-20},
organization = {George J. McLeod
Enhancement Chair in Geology},
organization = {Sociedad Pública de
Gestión y Promoción Turística y Cultural del Principado de Asturias},
organization = {Grants PID2019-104625RB-100 and
TED2021-131697B-C21 funded by MCIN/AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033},
publisher = {Springer Nature},
title = {Jurassic paleosurfaces with fecal mounds reveal the last supper of arenicolid worms},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-023-51103-2},
author = {Mángano, M. Gabriela and Buatois, Luis A. and Piñuela, Laura and Volkenborn, Nils and Rodríguez Tovar, Francisco J. and García Ramos, José C.},
}