more bivalve munching marine reptiles from Cretaceous OZ

[Colin McHenry <cmchenry@westserv.net.au>]

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



--
*****************
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