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more bivalve munching marine reptiles from Cretaceous OZ
This just out in Biology Letters...
Biology Letters
ISSN: 1744-9561 (Paper) 1744-957X (Online)
Issue: FirstCite Early Online Publishing
DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2005.0374
URL: Linking Options
<http://www.journals.royalsoc.ac.uk/%28zzdsts3s5vx3agraatnvtm45%29/app/home/linking.asp?referrer=linking&target=contribution&id=L501129301411726&backto=contribution,1,1;issue,2,59;journal,1,4;homemainpublications,1,7;>
First gut contents in a Cretaceous sea turtle
Benjamin P. Kear A1
A1 University of Adelaide School of Earth and Environmental Science
Adelaide 5006, Australia
Abstract:
Modern sea turtles utilize a variety of feeding strategies ranging from
herbivory to omnivory. In contrast, the diets of fossil sea turtles are
poorly known. This study reports the first direct evidence: inoceramid
bivalve shell pieces (encased in phosphatic material) preserved within
the body cavities of several small protostegid turtles (cf. Notochelone)
from the Lower Cretaceous of Australia. The shell fragments are densely
packed and approximately 5–20mm across. Identical shell accumulations
have been found within coprolite masses from the same deposits; these
are of a correct size to have originated from Notochelone, and indicate
that benthic molluscs were regular food items. The thin, flexible
inoceramid shells (composed of organic material integrated into a
prismatic calcite framework) appear to have been bitten into segments
and ingested, presumably in conjunction with visceral/mantle tissues and
encrusting organisms. Although protostegids have been elsewhere
interpreted as potential molluscivores, their primitive limb morphology
is thought to have limited them to surface feeding. However, the
evidence here that at least some forms were able to utilize benthic
invertebrate prey indicates that, like modern sea turtles, protostegids
probably exhibited a much broader range of feeding habits.
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Keywords:
protostegid turtles, gut contents, inoceramid bivalves, Cretaceous,
Australia
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*****************
Colin McHenry
School of Environmental and Life Sciences (Geology)
University of Newcastle
Callaghan NSW 2308
Australia
Tel: +61 2 4921 5404
Fax: + 61 2 4921 6925
cmchenry@westserv.net.au
Colin.Mchenry@newcastle.edu.au