title: Syn-vivo bioerosion of Nautilus by endo- and epilithic foraminiferans (New Caledonia and Vanuatu).
abstract: A variety of syn-vivo bioerosion traces produced by foraminiferans is recorded in shells of Nautilus sampled near New Caledonia and Vanuatu. These are two types of attachment scars of epilithic foraminiferans and two forms of previously undescribed microborings, a spiral-shaped and a dendritic one, both most likely being the work of endolithic 'naked' foraminiferans. Scanning electron microscopy of epoxy-resin casts of the latter revealed that these traces occur in clusters of up to many dozen individuals and potentially are substrate-specific. The foraminiferan traces are the sole signs of bioerosion in the studied Nautilus conchs, and neither traces of phototrophic nor other chemotrophic microendoliths were found. While the complete absence of photoautotrophic endoliths would be in good accordance with the life habit of Nautilus, which resides in aphotic deep marine environments and seeks shallower waters in the photic zone for feeding only during night-time, the absence of any microbial bioerosion may also be explained by an effective defence provided by the nautilid periostracum. Following this line of reasoning, the recorded foraminiferan bioerosion traces in turn would identify their trace makers as being specialized in their ability to penetrate the periostracum barrier and to bioerode the shell of modern Nautilus.
authors.affiliation: Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, GeoZentrum Nordbayern-Paläoumwelt, Loewenichstraße 28, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seuss
authors.affiliation: Senckenberg am Meer, Marine Research Department, Südstrand 40, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wisshak
authors.affiliation: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States of America.
authors.forename: Royal H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Mapes
authors.affiliation: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York City, NY 10024-5192, United States of America.
authors.forename: Neil H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Landman
mesh_terms: D060105:Animal Shells / Q000469:parasitology; D000818:Animals; D055669:Ecological and Environmental Phenomena; D056908:Foraminifera / Q000502:physiology*; D049850:Nautilus / Q000469:parasitology*; D009510:New Caledonia; D009514:Vanuatu