Nutrient-dependent growth underpinned the Ediacaran transition to large body size

Hoyal Cuthill, Jennifer F. and Conway Morris, Simon (2017) Nutrient-dependent growth underpinned the Ediacaran transition to large body size. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 1. pp. 1201-1204. ISSN 2397-334X DOI 10.1038/s41559-017-0222-7

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Abstract

Macro-scale rangeomorph fossils, with characteristic branching fronds, appear (571 Ma) after the Gaskiers glaciation (580 Ma). However, biological mechanisms of size growth, and potential connections to ocean geochemistry, were untested. Using micro-CT and photographic measurements, alongside mathematical and computer models, we demonstrate that growth of rangeomorph branch internodes declined as their relative surface area decreased. This suggests that frond size and shape were directly responsive to nutrient uptake.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	2017AREP, IA72;
Subjects:	01 - Climate Change and Earth-Ocean Atmosphere Systems 04 - Palaeobiology
Divisions:	04 - Palaeobiology 08 - Green Open Access
Journal or Publication Title:	Nature Ecology & Evolution
Volume:	1
Page Range:	pp. 1201-1204
Identification Number:	10.1038/s41559-017-0222-7
Depositing User:	Jen Hoyal-Cuthill
Date Deposited:	13 Jul 2017 23:01
Last Modified:	04 Aug 2017 11:29
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/3998

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