Sudden origin of ribbing in Jurassic Paracenoceras (Nautiloidea) and its bearing on the evolution of ribbing in post‐Triassic Nautiloids

Abstract

Ribs appeared cryptically in the Middle Jurassic nautiloid Paracenoceras. These ribs were produced by crowding of growth lirae as a corollary of change in body size during paedomorphic evolution. Initially, they had no direct functional significance. Some other contemporary genera are found to have similar ribbing patterns, partially developed on either the flanks or venter of the adult body chamber.

Subsequently in nautiloid phylogeny, ribs spread all around the whorl, becoming analogous to those of contemporary ammonites. Shell rugosity is observed to occur with increasing frequency in post‐Triassic nautiloids, paralleling the trend in ammonites. This is believed to be an outcome of the ‘arms race’ known as the Mesozoic marine revolution. Ribbing that was not at first adaptive in these nautiloids was subsequently co‐opted as a defensive adaptation. The evolution of this structure is a good example of exaptation.

Keywords:

• Jurassic
• Paracenoceras
• Nautiloidea
• Ribs
• Evolution
• Exaptation

Notes

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