Examining Fossil Mercenaria Species in a Cold Versus Warm Climate Context Using Morphometrics

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  • October 17, 2023
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  • Medlin, Alexander
    • Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences
Abstract
  • As the Earth gets warmer, understanding how global warming affects various organisms, including economically and ecologically important bivalves, has never been more important. Environmental conditions may contribute to the variation in shape and size of clam shells of the same species among different habitats. Morphometrics is a powerful tool used to measure and compare biological shape and structure of multiple samples and species based on different biotic or abiotic factors. This study compares the shape of fossil Mercenaria shells from different paleoclimate states and latitudes (the Mid-Pliocene Warm Interval and early Pleistocene cooling in North Carolina and Florida) to investigate whether climate change influences shape change. Shape is measured on all samples using landmarks and size of physical features on the shell. Based on the results from Analysis of Variance tests on landmarks and length measurements, there is significant shape differences between populations of different geologic age and low (Florida) versus mid latitude (North Carolina). The results from Principal Components Analyses suggest certain physical features on Mercenaria shells have a significant impact on shape variation among populations. Pallial sinus length appears to be particularly distinct among populations and is likely influenced by temperature, together with other several other ecological factors. Future tests will test alternative hypotheses related to ecological factors, such as sediment type. Keywords: Morphometrics, Mercenaria spp., paleoclimate, latitude, Mid-Pliocene Warm Interval, early Pleistocene, shape, landmarks
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  • In Copyright
Advisor
  • Surge, Donna
    • Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences
Degree
  • Bachelor of Science
Graduation year
  • 2023
Language
  • English

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