Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Eleven symbiotic associations between taxa occur in the Ordovician of Baltica, most involving colonial animals. Bryozoans formed the most numerous associations (including possible polychaete bioclaustrations, possible polychaete borings,... more
Eleven symbiotic associations between taxa occur in the Ordovician of Baltica, most involving colonial animals.
Bryozoans formed the most numerous associations (including possible polychaete bioclaustrations, possible
polychaete borings, conulariids, and crinoids) and had the highest number of symbiosis cases. In Baltica, the
Late Ordovician symbiotic associations differ from those in the Middle Ordovician by a remarkable increase in
the numbers of recorded cases. This is most likely explained by the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event
(GOBE). The higher faunal diversity may have created more opportunities for symbiotic relationships. These
changes in the symbiotic interactions in the Ordovician of Baltica were probably not related to climate change,
but had an evolutionary cause.
Bryozoans formed the most numerous associations (including possible polychaete bioclaustrations, possible
polychaete borings, conulariids, and crinoids) and had the highest number of symbiosis cases. In Baltica, the
Late Ordovician symbiotic associations differ from those in the Middle Ordovician by a remarkable increase in
the numbers of recorded cases. This is most likely explained by the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event
(GOBE). The higher faunal diversity may have created more opportunities for symbiotic relationships. These
changes in the symbiotic interactions in the Ordovician of Baltica were probably not related to climate change,
but had an evolutionary cause.