The modularity and development of Cambrian reef ecosystem

Authors
Citation
Ay. Zhuravlev, The modularity and development of Cambrian reef ecosystem, ZH OBS BIOL, 60(1), 1999, pp. 29-40
Citations number
61
Categorie Soggetti
Biology
Journal title
ZHURNAL OBSHCHEI BIOLOGII
ISSN journal
00444596 → ACNP
Volume
60
Issue
1
Year of publication
1999
Pages
29 - 40
Database
ISI
SICI code
0044-4596(199901/02)60:1<29:TMADOC>2.0.ZU;2-Y
Abstract
The unique diversity of modern reefs is maintained to a significant extent by flame-building organisms which due to their modular habit provide three- dimensional space suitable for tiny niche partitioning. Many principal grou ps of reef-builders in the Phanerozoic history of the Earth demonstrate a r egular pattern of the appearance and progressive development of modularity from low-modular noncommunicating forms to high modular communicating forms that are true colonies. Already the earliest skeletal modular organisms (a rchaeocyaths and other sponges, radiocyaths, coralomorphs, renalcids) show such a pattern. A comparison of Cambrian reef-building organisms with their relatives indicates the superiority of modular forms over solitary ones am ong them. Among advantages of reefal modular organisms over their solitary relatives there are: (1) larger individual size, (2) increased gregarity, ( 3) higher growth rate, (4) increased survivorship, and (5) strengthened anc horing to the substrate. The appearance of true colonies as utterly develop ed modular forms in different evolutionary lines may be evident for indepen dence of development of coloniality and asexual reproduction.