An encrusting kleptoparasite-host interaction from the early Cambrian

Zhifei Zhang*, Luke C. Strotz, Timothy P. Topper, Feiyang Chen, Yanlong Chen, Yue Liang, Zhiliang Zhang, Christian B. Skovsted, Glenn A. Brock

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    46 Citations (Scopus)
    67 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Parasite–host systems are pervasive in nature but are extremely difficult to convincingly identify in the fossil record. Here we report quantitative evidence of parasitism in the form of a unique, enduring life association between tube-dwelling organisms encrusted to densely clustered shells of a monospecific organophosphatic brachiopod assemblage from the lower Cambrian (Stage 4) of South China. Brachiopods with encrusting tubes have decreased biomass (indicating reduced fitness) compared to individuals without tubes. The encrusting tubes orient tightly in vectors matching the laminar feeding currents of the host, suggesting kleptoparasitism. With no convincing parasite–host interactions known from the Ediacaran, this widespread sessile association reveals intimate parasite–host animal systems arose in early Cambrian benthic communities and their emergence may have played a key role in driving the evolutionary and ecological innovations associated with the Cambrian radiation.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number2625
    Pages (from-to)1-7
    Number of pages7
    JournalNature Communications
    Volume11
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2 Jun 2020

    Bibliographical note

    Copyright the Author(s) 2020. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'An encrusting kleptoparasite-host interaction from the early Cambrian'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this