Taphonomic Patterns in Fossil Marine Invertebrates and TheirPaleobiologic Significance: I. Trilobita From the Upper Ordovician (Earth Science)

破碎、脱节的化石通过它们的保存状态记录了生物体在最终埋葬和保存之前的运输、返工和暴露时间的物理历史。因此，挖掘学数据(例如，破损和磨损模式)被用作物理因素的古生态指标，如相对环境能量和沉积速率。对于古生物学家来说，挖掘生物学数据还有第二个独立的意义：它们还反映了潜在的古生物控制(例如，骨骼的机械强度)。攻丝信息的这第二个方面才刚刚开始系统地研究。这项研究的目的是记录以下方面的模式：(1)外骨骼的断裂/磨损/损坏；(2)海洋无脊椎动物化石上的表生生物的分布。这项工作的目的是根据潜在的古生物因素来解释这些模式，如骨骼的机械强度、捕食者/猎物关系和生物体的生命取向。了解化石模式的生物学基础对于准确解释化石组合的历史(例如，形成模式)是必要的。这种类型的研究是将化石视为沉积颗粒的挖掘学研究的先决条件。这项初步研究将研究辛辛那提拱形地区晚奥陶世三叶虫的几个属。随后的研究将集中在不同的分类群上，长期目标是将该动物群的分类模式与其他沉积环境和地质时期的动物群进行比较。该项目的互动部分包括：a)地质学本科课程的主要教学责任，b)参加古生物学研究生研讨会，c)系客座讲座，d)“妇女参与地球科学”客座讲座系列，和e)各种导师/咨询活动。该项目进一步推动了VPW计划的目标，即：(1)为妇女提供机会，在NSF资助的工程和科学学科中发展她们的职业生涯；(2)通过提高受雇于工业、政府和学术机构的女科学家和工程师的知名度，鼓励妇女追求科学和工程事业。通过鼓励妇女参与科学，这是对国家未来科学活力的宝贵投资。

Broken, disarticulated fossils record by their preservation state the physical history of transport, reworking, and length of exposure before final burial and preservation of the organisms. Thus, taphonomic data (e.g., patterns of breakage and wear) are used as paleoecological indicators of physical factors such as relative environmental energy and sedimentation rate. Taphonomic data have a second, separate significance for paleobiologists: they also reflect underlying paleobiologic control (e.g., the mechanical strength of the skeleton). This second aspect of taphonomic information is only beginning to be studied in a systematic way. The purpose of this research is to document patterns in: (1) breakage/wear/damage of exoskeletons and (2) the distribution of epibionts on fossil marine invertebrates. The goal of this work is to interpret these patterns in terms of underlying paleobiological factors such as the mechanical strength of the skeleton, predator/prey relationships, and life orientation of the organism. Understanding the biological basis of taphonomic patterns is necessary to accurately interpret the history (e.g., the mode of formation) of fossiliferous assemblages. This type of research is a prerequisite for taphonomic studies that consider fossils as sedimentary particles. This initial study will examine several genera of Late Ordovician trilobites from the Cincinnati arch region. Subsequent studies will focus on different taxonomic groups, and the long-term goal is to compare the taphonomic patterns of this fauna with faunas from other depositional settings and geologic periods. The interactive component of this project includes the following: a) primary teaching responsibility for an undergraduate course in geology, b) participation in a graduate seminar in paleontology, c) departmental guest lecture, d) a "Women in Geoscience" guest lecture series, and e) various mentor/counseling activities. This project furthers VPW program objectives which are (1) to provide opportunities for women to advance their careers in engineering and in the disciplines of science supported by NSF and (2) to encourage women to pursue careers in science and engineering by providing greater visibility for women scientists and engineers employed in industry, government, and academic institutions. By encouraging the participation of women in science, it is a valuable investment in the Nation's future scientific vitality.