This study reveals moderate yet important variations in Watznaueria barnesiae coccolith and central unit size throughout the Aptian–late Cenomanian (27 my) time interval in western Tethys. A new statistical approach was applied to determine whether non-random size trends apply to these metrics and to identify possible links be- tween their variation and fertility or temperature. During OAE 1a, W. barnesiae coccoliths were the smallest and the most elliptical, with reduced central unit size. A further minor size decrease occurs during OAE 1b but not during OAE 1d. From the middle Albian to the middle Cenomanian, larger and less elliptical coccoliths are observed, with unchanged central unit dimensions. These results, together with concomitantly larger size changes in Biscutum constans confirm that W. barnesiae is a tolerant taxon. High-frequency, high-amplitude paleoenvironmental changes during the Aptian–early Albian indicate that temperature and fertility – either individually or in combination – had no direct impact on the mean coccolith size and potentially other factors affected coccolith size. Instead, lower nutrients with lower temperatures probably played a role in promoting larger W. barnesiae but smaller B. constans coccoliths during the middle Albian–Cenomanian. The size and ellipticity changes during OAE 1a and 1b were the strongest, likely resulting from ocean acidification and trace metal inputs, in addition to (or independently of) fertility and temperature variations.

Morphometric changes in Watznaueria barnesiae across the mid Cretaceous: Paleoecological implications / C. Bettoni, E. Erba, S. Castiglione, P. Raia, C. Bottini. - In: MARINE MICROPALEONTOLOGY. - ISSN 0377-8398. - 188:(2024), pp. 102343.1-102343.9. [10.1016/j.marmicro.2024.102343]

Morphometric changes in Watznaueria barnesiae across the mid Cretaceous: Paleoecological implications

C. Bettoni
Primo
;
E. Erba
Secondo
;
C. Bottini
Ultimo
2024

Abstract

This study reveals moderate yet important variations in Watznaueria barnesiae coccolith and central unit size throughout the Aptian–late Cenomanian (27 my) time interval in western Tethys. A new statistical approach was applied to determine whether non-random size trends apply to these metrics and to identify possible links be- tween their variation and fertility or temperature. During OAE 1a, W. barnesiae coccoliths were the smallest and the most elliptical, with reduced central unit size. A further minor size decrease occurs during OAE 1b but not during OAE 1d. From the middle Albian to the middle Cenomanian, larger and less elliptical coccoliths are observed, with unchanged central unit dimensions. These results, together with concomitantly larger size changes in Biscutum constans confirm that W. barnesiae is a tolerant taxon. High-frequency, high-amplitude paleoenvironmental changes during the Aptian–early Albian indicate that temperature and fertility – either individually or in combination – had no direct impact on the mean coccolith size and potentially other factors affected coccolith size. Instead, lower nutrients with lower temperatures probably played a role in promoting larger W. barnesiae but smaller B. constans coccoliths during the middle Albian–Cenomanian. The size and ellipticity changes during OAE 1a and 1b were the strongest, likely resulting from ocean acidification and trace metal inputs, in addition to (or independently of) fertility and temperature variations.
Calcareous nannofossils; Cretaceous; Morphometry; Oceanic Anoxic Events
Settore GEO/01 - Paleontologia e Paleoecologia
   BIOTA RESILIENCE TO GLOBAL CHANGE: BIOMINERALIZATION OF PLANKTIC AND BENTHIC CALCIFIERS IN THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
   MINISTERO DELL'ISTRUZIONE E DEL MERITO
   2017RX9XXY_001

   Assegnazione Dipartimenti di Eccellenza 2023-2027 - Dipartimento di SCIENZE DELLA TERRA "ARDITO DESIO"
   DECC23_020
   MINISTERO DELL'UNIVERSITA' E DELLA RICERCA
2024
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1027853
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