Combined sclerochronologic and oxygen isotope analysis of gastropod shells (Gibbula cineraria, North Sea) : life-history traits and utility as a high-resolution environmental archive for kelp forests

The grey top-shell, Gibbula cineraria is a common member of temperate to cold water kelp forest communities, but its longevity and the age structure of its populations remains unresolved. Combined measurements of shell growth rates (sclerochronology) and oxygen isotope composition allow analysis of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine biology 2007-03, Vol.150 (6), p.1237-1252
Main Authors: SCHONE, Bernd R, RODLAND, David L, WEHRMANN, Achim, HEIDEL, Björn, OSCHMANN, Wolfgang, ZENGJIE ZHANG, FIEBIG, Jens, BECK, Lothar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Aquatic ecosystems
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical analysis
Forest communities
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gastropoda
Gibbula cineraria
Invertebrates
Isotopes
Life history
Longevity
Marine
Marine biology
Measurement techniques
Mollusca
Mollusks
Oxygen isotopes
Sea water ecosystems
Seawater
Synecology
Water analysis
Water temperature
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Summary:The grey top-shell, Gibbula cineraria is a common member of temperate to cold water kelp forest communities, but its longevity and the age structure of its populations remains unresolved. Combined measurements of shell growth rates (sclerochronology) and oxygen isotope composition allow analysis of rate and timing of shell growth. Eight specimens were analyzed from the southern North Sea (near Helgoland, German Bight). Three age groups were identified but external measurements (width, height, ornamentation patterns and number of whorls) and shell weight are not adequate for ontogenetic age discrimination. Stable oxygen isotope data is consistent with shell growth during the interval from April to December in isotopic equilibrium with seawater, and growth increments exhibit strong tidal controls with fortnightly bundles well preserved. Reliable environmental proxy data (water temperature) can be extracted from the shell aragonite using conventional stable oxygen isotope analyses, with a temporal resolution of days attainable during intervals of maximum growth, but annual extremes are not always recorded in the shell. While demonstrating the utility of G. cineraria as a environmental and potential paleoenvironmental proxy for kelp forest habitats, its longevity has been significantly overestimated. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0025-3162
1432-1793
DOI:10.1007/s00227-006-0435-9