Research Paper
Palaeoebiological implications of cuticle morphology, microstructure and formation in modern and fossil Daira (Decapoda, Brachyura, Dairoidea)
FERNANDO A. FERRATGES
Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra-IUCA, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain, ferratges@unizar.es; ferratges@unizar.es
JAVIER ELORZA
Departamento de Geología, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Apartado 644; 48080 Bilbao, Spain; josejavier.elorza@ehu.eus
SAMUEL ZAMORA
Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra-IUCA, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; nstituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME-CSIC), Residencia CSIC, Campus Aula Dei, Av. Montañana 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain; s.zamora@igme.es
Corresponding author
ABSTRACT
The origin and function of peculiar mushroom-shaped cuticular structures in some decapod crustaceans remains unknown. This ornamentation has appeared several times in widely disparate clades (in podotreme and heterotreme crabs, and pagurids). These structures are analysed in the modern genus Daira and compared with fossil material from the Eocene of Huesca and the Miocene of Alicante and Mallorca. A morphological and petrographic study is carried out using conventional microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy to understand the microstructure in modern and fossil representatives. This provides a clear view of the mushroom-like structures that cover the carapace of Daira and the distribution of the diff erent layers of the exoskeleton. The results reveal a complex morphology, which involves all layers of the cuticle, with changes in the thickness of the exocuticle in diff erent areas, and the presence of conical structures that especially aff ect the outer layers. These convolutions form a network of channels connected to the outside by pores. Finally, possible anti-predatory functions of these complex structures are proposed.
Key words: Arthropoda, Benthonic, Crab, Cuticle, Reef, Predation.
How to cite: Ferratges, F. A., Elorza, J. & Zamora, S. 2022. Palaeoebiological implications of cuticle morphology, microstructure and formation in modern and fossil Daira (Decapoda, Brachyura, Dairoidea). Spanish Journal of Palaeontology, 37(2), 177-190
Received 27 October 2022, Accepted 2 December 2022, Published online 16 December2022
https://doi.org/10.7203/sjp.25647
