Moulting behaviour in the trilobite Oryctocephalus indicus (Reed, 1910) from the Cambrian Miaolingian Series (Wuliuan Stage) of Jianhe, South China.

ABSTRACT: The accurate interpretation of trilobite moulting behaviour relies on a comprehensive understanding of their moult configurations, yet the focus has commonly been limited to a brief description of the exuviae, and how differences in moulting behaviour further impact the preservation of exuviae is often ignored. This study investigates the configuration, style, and process of moulting in Oryctocephalus indicus through analysis of 88 exuviae collected from the Kaili Formation (Cambrian, Wuliuan) in Guizhou Province, South China. The moult configurations of O. indicus are typically characterised by the lower cephalic unit (LCU), which comprises the librigenae and rostral-hypostomal plate connected as a whole, detached from the cephalon and positioned anterior to the thoracopygon

SUBMITTER: Chen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10722983 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature