Abnormal trilobites from the Silurian and Devonian of Europe

Malformed trilobites have been documented in deposits ranging from the Cambrian to the Permian. Continued examination of novel malformed specimens provides insight into how trilobites recovered from injuries, experienced genetic abnormalities, and adapted to pathological conditions. This study focus...

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Main Authors: Russell D.C. Bicknell, Patrick M. Smith, Lisa Amati, Melanie J. Hopkins
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Institute of Paleobiology PAS 2025-06-01
Series:Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
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Online Access:https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app012292024.html
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author Russell D.C. Bicknell
Patrick M. Smith
Lisa Amati
Melanie J. Hopkins
author_facet Russell D.C. Bicknell
Patrick M. Smith
Lisa Amati
Melanie J. Hopkins
author_sort Russell D.C. Bicknell
collection DOAJ
description Malformed trilobites have been documented in deposits ranging from the Cambrian to the Permian. Continued examination of novel malformed specimens provides insight into how trilobites recovered from injuries, experienced genetic abnormalities, and adapted to pathological conditions. This study focuses on trilobites from the Silurian and Devonian of Europe, presenting new records of: (i) a moulting-related injury in Lioharpes venulosus; (ii) genetic malformations in Calymene blumenbachii and Treveropyge sp.; and (iii) a moulting injury or genetic anomaly in Scutellum (Scutellum) pardalios. Additionally, we record evidence of bryozoan growth on a C. blumenbachii specimen. Our findings provide important data for contextualizing the paleobiology of early and middle Paleozoic trilobites, especially related to responses to ecological pressures.
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spelling doaj-art-e98de8270cdf464d8e33c2dd9fc9e6492025-08-20T02:44:28ZengInstitute of Paleobiology PASActa Palaeontologica Polonica1732-24212025-06-0170220521210.4202/app.01229.2024Abnormal trilobites from the Silurian and Devonian of EuropeRussell D.C. Bicknell0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8541-9035Patrick M. Smith1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4359-8001Lisa Amati2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9766-7036Melanie J. Hopkins3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3580-2172 Division of Paleontology (Invertebrates), American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, 10024, USA and Palaeoscience Research Centre, School of Environmental & Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, AustraliaSenckenberg am Meer, Marine Research Department, Südstrand 40, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany. CIBIO-Açores, Research Centre in Bio diversity and Genetic Resources, InBio Associate Laboratory, MPB-Marine PalaeoBiogeography Lab, University of the Azores; Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Rua da Mãe de Deus, 9500 321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal; UNESCO Chair – Land Within Sea: Biodiversity & Sustainability in Atlantic Islands, University of the Azores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, 9500 321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal. CIBIO-Açores, Research Centre in Bio diversity and Genetic Resources, InBio Associate Laboratory, MPB-Marine PalaeoBiogeography Lab, University of the Azores; Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Rua da Mãe de Deus, 9500 321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal; UNESCO Chair – Land Within Sea: Biodiversity & Sustainability in Atlantic Islands, University of the Azores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, 9500 321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal.Malformed trilobites have been documented in deposits ranging from the Cambrian to the Permian. Continued examination of novel malformed specimens provides insight into how trilobites recovered from injuries, experienced genetic abnormalities, and adapted to pathological conditions. This study focuses on trilobites from the Silurian and Devonian of Europe, presenting new records of: (i) a moulting-related injury in Lioharpes venulosus; (ii) genetic malformations in Calymene blumenbachii and Treveropyge sp.; and (iii) a moulting injury or genetic anomaly in Scutellum (Scutellum) pardalios. Additionally, we record evidence of bryozoan growth on a C. blumenbachii specimen. Our findings provide important data for contextualizing the paleobiology of early and middle Paleozoic trilobites, especially related to responses to ecological pressures.https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app012292024.htmltrilobitacalymenetreveropygelioharpesscutellumevolutioninjuriesmalformationsteratologies
spellingShingle Russell D.C. Bicknell
Patrick M. Smith
Lisa Amati
Melanie J. Hopkins
Abnormal trilobites from the Silurian and Devonian of Europe
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
trilobita
calymene
treveropyge
lioharpes
scutellum
evolution
injuries
malformations
teratologies
title Abnormal trilobites from the Silurian and Devonian of Europe
title_full Abnormal trilobites from the Silurian and Devonian of Europe
title_fullStr Abnormal trilobites from the Silurian and Devonian of Europe
title_full_unstemmed Abnormal trilobites from the Silurian and Devonian of Europe
title_short Abnormal trilobites from the Silurian and Devonian of Europe
title_sort abnormal trilobites from the silurian and devonian of europe
topic trilobita
calymene
treveropyge
lioharpes
scutellum
evolution
injuries
malformations
teratologies
url https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app012292024.html
work_keys_str_mv AT russelldcbicknell abnormaltrilobitesfromthesiluriananddevonianofeurope
AT patrickmsmith abnormaltrilobitesfromthesiluriananddevonianofeurope
AT lisaamati abnormaltrilobitesfromthesiluriananddevonianofeurope
AT melaniejhopkins abnormaltrilobitesfromthesiluriananddevonianofeurope