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Burrowing Techniques, Behaviors, and Trace Morphologies of Extant Larval to Adult Beetles

Wislocki, Joseph
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1617978311113625

Abstract Details

2021, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Geological Sciences.
Studies of the relationship between extant trace makers, known environmental conditions, and the morphology of their biogenic structures allow for the interpretation of continental ichnofossils. This study examined the burrowing techniques, behaviors, and trace morphologies of three extant species of burrowing beetles, Tenebrio molitor, Zophobas morio, and Phyllophaga sp., from their larval to adult life stages under normal and stressed environmental conditions in a laboratory setting. Tenebrio molitor and Z. morio burrowed using their mandibles to compact the substrate, while Phyllophaga sp., burrowed by excavation and backfilling. The three species primary behaviors were locomotion, mobile deposit feeding, intermittent resting, and pupation. Larvae burrows of T. molitor and Z. morio included open boxworks, while Phyllophaga sp. larvae generated elongate backfilled burrows which terminated in an open chamber. All three species created ovoid to ellipsoidal chambers when preparing for pupation. During their adult stage, T. molitor and Z. morio created conical traces and chambers, while Phyllophaga sp. produced loosely backfilled burrows. The environmental stresses tested were related to sediment sand and water content as well as sediment compactness. Higher trace abundance was produced in sediments with decreased sand content, increased water content, and low compactness, although trace morphologies did not change. Highly compacted substrates had little activity, but distinct trace morphologies. The total level of bioturbation, quantified with the ichnofabric index, produced by multiple specimens of each species in large enclosures filled with layered sediment varied from 1 (T. molitor and Phyllophaga sp.) to 2-5 (Z. morio). Quantitative analyses of the quantitative properties of the different traces showed that, despite having similar morphologies, the traces produced by the three species were dissimilar, but also showed variation within species. Understanding extant traces of beetles can help in the recognition of their ichnofossils when body fossils are not found, which can allow for improved interpretations of paleoecosystems and paleoenvironments in continental settings.
Daniel Hembree, Ph.D (Advisor)
Alycia Stigall, Ph.D (Committee Member)
Xizhen Schenk, Ph.D (Committee Member)
135 p.
Geology; Paleontology
Beetle; Burrowing; Ichnology; Neoichnology; Larval; Tenebrio molitor; Zophobas morio; Phyllophaga; Trace; Trace Morphologies; Chamber; Trace fossil; Ichnofossil; Burrow; Bray-Curtis; Bioturbation; Ichnofabric; Comparison; Behavior; Ichnogenera

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Wislocki, J. (2021). Burrowing Techniques, Behaviors, and Trace Morphologies of Extant Larval to Adult Beetles [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1617978311113625

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wislocki, Joseph. Burrowing Techniques, Behaviors, and Trace Morphologies of Extant Larval to Adult Beetles. 2021. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1617978311113625.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wislocki, Joseph. "Burrowing Techniques, Behaviors, and Trace Morphologies of Extant Larval to Adult Beetles." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1617978311113625

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.