Morphometric changes in Watznaueria barnesiae across the mid Cretaceous: Paleoecological implications
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2024
Citazione:
Morphometric changes in Watznaueria barnesiae across the mid Cretaceous: Paleoecological implications / C. Bettoni, E. Erba, S. Castiglione, P. Raia, C. Bottini. - In: MARINE MICROPALEONTOLOGY. - ISSN 0377-8398. - 188:(2024), pp. 102343.1-102343.9. [10.1016/j.marmicro.2024.102343]
Abstract:
This study reveals moderate yet important variations in Watznaueria barnesiae coccolith and central unit size
throughout the Aptian–late Cenomanian (27 my) time interval in western Tethys. A new statistical approach was
applied to determine whether non-random size trends apply to these metrics and to identify possible links be-
tween their variation and fertility or temperature. During OAE 1a, W. barnesiae coccoliths were the smallest and
the most elliptical, with reduced central unit size. A further minor size decrease occurs during OAE 1b but not
during OAE 1d. From the middle Albian to the middle Cenomanian, larger and less elliptical coccoliths are
observed, with unchanged central unit dimensions. These results, together with concomitantly larger size
changes in Biscutum constans confirm that W. barnesiae is a tolerant taxon. High-frequency, high-amplitude
paleoenvironmental changes during the Aptian–early Albian indicate that temperature and fertility – either
individually or in combination – had no direct impact on the mean coccolith size and potentially other factors
affected coccolith size. Instead, lower nutrients with lower temperatures probably played a role in promoting
larger W. barnesiae but smaller B. constans coccoliths during the middle Albian–Cenomanian. The size and
ellipticity changes during OAE 1a and 1b were the strongest, likely resulting from ocean acidification and trace
metal inputs, in addition to (or independently of) fertility and temperature variations.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
Calcareous nannofossils; Cretaceous; Morphometry; Oceanic Anoxic Events
Elenco autori:
C. Bettoni, E. Erba, S. Castiglione, P. Raia, C. Bottini
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