Echinoids as substrates for encrustation : review and quantitative analysis

摘要: The existing literature, including records of both fossil and extant echinoid encrustation, is quantitatively analysed reviewed. This shows that encrustation (number encrusted taphocoenoses) has increased nearly continuously dramatically to the present day, as confirmed by linear regression values more than 85 per cent. It also demonstrates current levels fouling stabilised Miocene, while there been a or less continuous record since Late Cretaceous. Several increases have identified first noted occurrence from Carboniferous. trend explained probable result corresponding in productivity (richness, biomass, energetics, ecospace utilisation) resources marine environment, epibionts their hosts. conclusion matches other indicators, number thickness shell beds, bioerosion predation intensity biodiversity. trajectory might altered some degree biases (e.g. selective recording, sampling effort, outcrop area, rock volume) same way palaeobiodiversity estimates. Two recognised long-term gaps (Upper Ordovician–Lower Carboniferous Permian–Lower Cretaceous) are part bias biological taphonomic signals. These caused mostly rapid disarticulation Palaeozoic-type echinoids, methodology applied here, lack interest Jurassic echinoids. Conversely, three short-term Cenozoic interpreted exclusively bias. If correct, study step-wise increase through time. suggests potential focus on further study, collection new data field pre-existing collections, best for proxies (e.g., percent coverage epibionts, ratio nonencrusted shells, taxa richness numerical abundance sclerobionts) cases large-scale analyses.