When a Worm Loves a Coral: A Symbiotic Relationship from the Jurassic/Cretaceous Boundary

Reefal limestones of the Stramberk Carbonate Platform are preserved as olistoliths and pebbles in deep-water flysch of the Outer Carpathians (Czech Republic, Poland). They contain the richest coral assemblages of the Jurassic/Cretaceous transition (Tithonian-Berriasian). Symbiotic associations between corals and tube-dwelling macroorganisms were recognized only in the branching scleractinian corals Calamophylliopsis flabellum and Calamophylliopsis sp. One to seven calcareous tubes were recognized either in coral calyces, embedded in the wall, or attached to it. Two types of tubes were recognized: Type 1: tubes with a diameter of 0.3-0.6 mm and a very thin wall (ca. 0.05 mm), mostly occurring inside corallites, and nearly exclusively in the Stramberk-type limestone of Poland; Type 2: tubes with an outer diameter of 0.8-2.0 mm and a thick wall (ca. 0.1 mm, some even up to 0.2 mm), mostly found in the Stramberk Limestone of the Czech Republic. Growth lamellae were observed in some thick walls. Most tubes are almost straight, some are curved. The tubes were probably produced by serpulids or by embedment of organic-walled sabellid polychaete worms. It is likely the oldest record of a sabellid-coral association. Modification of the coral skeleton in contact with tubes indicates that the worms were associated with live corals. For many modern and fossil worm-coral associations, this symbiotic association is interpreted as mutualistic or commensal.

Automated summary

Reefal limestones of the Stramberk Carbonate Platform, preserved in deep-water flysch of the Outer Carpathians, contain rich coral assemblages of the Jurassic/Cretaceous transition. Symbiotic associations between corals and tube-dwelling macroorganisms were observed in Calamophylliopsis flabellum and Calamophylliopsis sp. Two types of tubes were recognized, likely produced by serpulids or organic-walled sabellid polychaete worms. This association represents possibly the oldest record of a sabellid-coral association, with indications of mutualistic or commensal symbiosis.