蜓类隔壁褶皱功能的质疑

A Question About the Function of Septal Fluting of Fusulinids

在古生物学中,人们一般认为蜓类隔壁褶皱的功能是为了增加蜓壳的支撑力,以便在海底能更好地生活。本文根据生物与环境相适应的原理,采用力学分析的方法对纺锤形蜓壳的隔壁褶皱进行了三个方面的分析,并用鸡蛋及鹌鹑蛋进行了模拟的破裂实验,最后认为,蜓类动物隔壁褶皱的功能不是加固蜓壳,它的真正功能如何还有待于深入地研究。

It is well-known in paleontology that the function of septal fluting of fusulinids is to reinforce their shells so that they can live on the sea floor better. According to the biological principle that lives should adapt themselves to the surroundings, the author studies the septal fluting of fusulinids with spindle shape by means of mechanical method in three aspects and makes an analogous breaking test using the eggs of chickens and quails. Results show that the septal fluting of fusulinids cannot make the shells reinforce. Further studies remain to be carried out to find out what the real function of septal fluting is.