Post-mortem ascent of Nautilus shells: implications for cephalopod paleobiogeography

Abstract

Analysis of post-mortem buoyancy loss in Nautilus shells suggests that extensive nekroplanktonic drifting occurs infrequently. Most shells do not reach the surface but settle to the sea floor, after a short period of ascent. This occurs because the rate of water influx into the phragmocone due to ambient hydrostatic pressure is sufficiently rapid in most cases to overcome positive buoyancy before the shell reaches the surface. The resulting geographic distribution of Nautilus shells would therefore mirror the distribution of the live animals. Thus, post-mortem drift in Nautilus cannot be used as a basis for questioning the validity of cephalopod paleobiogeography. Estimate of influx rates in ammonoid siphuncles indicates that many, if not most, ammonoid shells also would not become nekroplanktonic. This is especially true for small (<5 cm diameter) shells. Cephalopod paleobiogeographic investigation appears less subject to criticism stemming from the supposed obfuscating effects of post-mortem drift than previously thought.