One fossil record, multiple time resolutions: disparate time-averaging of echinoids and mollusks on a Holocene carbonate platform

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dc.contributor.authorKowalewski, Men_AU
dc.contributor.authorCasebolt, Sen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHua, Qen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWhitacre, KEen_AU
dc.contributor.authorKaufman, DSen_AU
dc.contributor.authorKosnik, MAen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2021-07-09T03:23:53Zen_AU
dc.date.available2021-07-09T03:23:53Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2017-11-11en_AU
dc.date.statistics2021-07-02en_AU
dc.description.abstractOur quantitative understanding of the temporal resolution of the fossil record is largely based on numerical dating of Holocene bivalves. However, for paleontologically important taxa with less-robust skeletons, no quantitative estimate of time-averaging exists. Here, we compare time-averaging in sympatric accumulations of the echinoid Leodia sexiesperforata and the bivalve Tucetona pectinata on a shallow carbonate platform of San Salvador Island, Bahamas. Using graphite-target and carbonate-target accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon methods, we dated 30 echinoid tests and 30 mollusk valves collected from surficial sediments at a single site. All echinoid tests yielded post-bomb (taking into account radiocarbon from nuclear weapons testing) ages, and the estimated time-averaging (interquartile age range) is at most 2 yr. In contrast, sympatric mollusk valves spanned 4000 yr with an estimated time-averaging of 1830 yr. This three-orders-of-magnitude difference in the extent of time-averaging quantifies the taphonomic expectation that echinoid tests should degrade more rapidly and experience less time-averaging when compared to more durable mollusk shells. When preserved, fossil echinoids are likely to indicate a more finely resolved fossil record than skeletally robust organisms such as mollusks, and may provide a fundamentally distinct class of paleontological data, potentially adequate for investigating biological and physical processes that operate at subdecadal time scales. Immensely disparate time-averaging of sympatric mollusks and echinoids indicates that, at broader phylogenetic scales, differences in intrinsic skeletal durability may be the main determinant of the temporal resolution of fossil assemblages. Copyright © 2017 Geological Society of Americaen_AU
dc.identifier.citationKowalewski, M., Casebolt, S., Hua, Q., Whitacre, K. E., Kaufman, D. S., & Kosnik, M. A. (2018). One fossil record, multiple time resolutions: disparate time-averaging of echinoids and mollusks on a Holocene carbonate platform. Geology, 46(1), 51-54. doi:10.1130/G39789.1en_AU
dc.identifier.issn1943-2682en_AU
dc.identifier.issue1en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleGeologyen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination51-54en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1130/G39789.1en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/11040en_AU
dc.identifier.volume46en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherGeological Society of Americaen_AU
dc.subjectStatistical dataen_AU
dc.subjectQuaternary perioden_AU
dc.subjectCenozoic Eraen_AU
dc.subjectMolluscsen_AU
dc.subjectFossilsen_AU
dc.subjectCarbon 14en_AU
dc.subjectCarbonatesen_AU
dc.subjectCarbonen_AU
dc.subjectIsotopesen_AU
dc.subjectEchinodermsen_AU
dc.subjectBahama Islandsen_AU
dc.subjectWest Indiesen_AU
dc.subjectCaribbean Seaen_AU
dc.subjectPreservationen_AU
dc.titleOne fossil record, multiple time resolutions: disparate time-averaging of echinoids and mollusks on a Holocene carbonate platformen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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