Ontogenetic moulting behavior of the Cambrian oryctocephalid trilobite Arthricocephalites xinzhaiheensis.

ABSTRACT: Moulting behaviors in trilobites are a crucial strategy during development. Previous studies have demonstrated inter-and intraspecific variability of moulting behavior in trilobites. Currently, ecdysial motifs for trilobites are considered not stable even within species and fewer detailed studies dealt with moulting behaviors in a single species of trilobite during development. Here a large sample of meraspid to holaspid exuviae of Arthricocephalites xinzhaiheensis (131 specimens) from the Cambrian Balang Formation of South China has allowed description of the reasonably complete ontogenic moulting sequence. Both ontogenetic stage and body size reveal gradual transition of configuration from Somersault configuration to Henningsmoen's configuration during development. Somersault conf

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8465991 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature