Decay and Disarticulation of the Cockroach: Implications for Preservation of the Blattoids of Writhlington (Upper Carboniferous), UK

Other| June 01, 2003 Decay and Disarticulation of the Cockroach: Implications for Preservation of the Blattoids of Writhlington (Upper Carboniferous), UK IAN J. DUNCAN; IAN J. DUNCAN 1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar FRED TITCHENER; FRED TITCHENER 2Department of Geology, Royal Holloway (University of London), Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey TW20 OEX, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar DEREK E.G. BRIGGS DEREK E.G. BRIGGS 3Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK, derek.briggs@yale.edu * Corresponding Author, current address: Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, P.O. Box 208109, New Haven, CT 06520. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar PALAIOS (2003) 18 (3): 256–265. https://doi.org/10.1669/0883-1351(2003)018<0256:DADOTC>2.0.CO;2 Article history accepted: 06 Nov 2002 first online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation IAN J. DUNCAN, FRED TITCHENER, DEREK E.G. BRIGGS; Decay and Disarticulation of the Cockroach: Implications for Preservation of the Blattoids of Writhlington (Upper Carboniferous), UK. PALAIOS 2003;; 18 (3): 256–265. doi: https://doi.org/10.1669/0883-1351(2003)018<0256:DADOTC>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyPALAIOS Search Advanced Search Abstract Cockroaches are the dominant insects in Carboniferous terrestrial biotas, however, approximately 90% of specimens consist only of isolated wings or wing fragments. This bias has been attributed variously to decay and selective preservation, transport, predation, or collection. The state of preservation of Carboniferous cockroaches was documented in extensive collections from the Westphalian at Writhlington, U.K., where collection bias was minimal. The wings may be intact, or more usually fracture across the veins. Laboratory experiments were conducted on the genera Periplaneta and Blaberus to determine the effects of decay and transport following drowning. The decay experiments revealed a series of disarticulation stages that were reached more rapidly in specimens transported in a circular flume, particularly where some decay had occurred first. The wings detached from the body at a late stage, and separated to varying degrees along the veins, whether or not transport was involved. Experiments on isolated wings showed that breakage occurs across the veins. This pattern is more similar to that observed in the fossils than is the pattern induced by decay in water. The results were compared with observations on predation on these cockroaches and other insects by reptiles and arachnids. Vertebrates such as lizards are indiscriminate feeders and commonly bite through the wings. Arachnids with cheliceral teeth fragment the cuticle but may leave the wings intact. Predation by arachnids followed by breakage provides a more likely explanation than decay and selective preservation for the predominance of isolated wings in the fossil biota. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.