Title: Microborings from shallow marine habitats on both sides of the Panama Isthmus
Abstract:Microborings in shells and shell fragments on Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Panama were ana lyzed and compared. Both coasts show considerable diversity of microboring morphotypes. The occupation by e...Microborings in shells and shell fragments on Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Panama were ana lyzed and compared. Both coasts show considerable diversity of microboring morphotypes. The occupation by euendoliths within each sample is more uniform in shells of the Pacific then of the Caribbean coast, thus representing a lower overall diversity. The environmental characteristics of the water bodies along the two coasts of Panama are reviewed and discussed as possible causes of the differences observed. The finding is consistent with higher nutrient availability on the Pacific side of the Panama Isthmus associated with more extensive current exchange, including seasonal upwellings, than on the oligotrophic, warm water coast of the more enclosed Caribbean Sea. Three new morphotypes of microborings were found only on the Caribbean coast and one on the Pacific coast, possibly reflecting regional distinction of the euendolithic microflora. The implications of the observed in this modern setting for the fossil occurrences of microborings are discussed.Read More
Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 10
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