100 years in the dark: Extreme longevity of Eocene bivalves from Antarctica

Research Article| October 01, 2004 100 years in the dark: Extreme longevity of Eocene bivalves from Antarctica Devin P. Buick; Devin P. Buick 1Department of Earth Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244-1070, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Linda C. Ivany Linda C. Ivany 1Department of Earth Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244-1070, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Devin P. Buick 1Department of Earth Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244-1070, USA Linda C. Ivany 1Department of Earth Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244-1070, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 30 Apr 2004 Revision Received: 14 Jun 2004 Accepted: 29 Jun 2004 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2004) 32 (10): 921–924. https://doi.org/10.1130/G20796.1 Article history Received: 30 Apr 2004 Revision Received: 14 Jun 2004 Accepted: 29 Jun 2004 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Devin P. Buick, Linda C. Ivany; 100 years in the dark: Extreme longevity of Eocene bivalves from Antarctica. Geology 2004;; 32 (10): 921–924. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G20796.1 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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract A combination of sclerochronologic techniques and stable isotope analysis reveals that the fossil bivalve Cucullaea raea, from the Eocene of Antarctica, regularly lived for more than a century. In addition, shell growth occurred only during the Austral winter, when food (phytoplankton) availability was limited by darkness. Although extreme longevity in modern bivalves tends to correlate with cold temperature, paleotemperature conversion of δ18O values indicates that these high-latitude fossil clams lived in relatively warm (∼14 °C) shallow seas of the Eocene greenhouse world. Growth cessation during otherwise optimal summer conditions is inferred to reflect summer spawning and a reproductive strategy by which to increase the likelihood of larval survival in a light-stressed (and hence food stressed) setting. Long life may therefore be adaptive in a setting where the chances of reproductive success during any one spawning cycle are very low. In addition, food limitation may play a role in extending life by reducing metabolic rate and somatic growth, slowing the process of senescence (aging). The unusual life history of this fossil high-latitude, temperate-water bivalve suggests that low light and food availability, as opposed to cold temperature, may have a greater influence on molluscan growth at high latitudes than previously thought. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.