An investigation of terrestrial arthropod herbivory in Pennsylvanian peat forests revealed by coprolites from coal balls

Understanding the ecological dynamics of ancient terrestrial ecosystems requires innovative approaches that capture both biological diversity and ecological interactions. This dissertation utilizes coprolites preserved in Pennsylvanian coal balls as a novel and underutilized data source to investigate the feeding behaviors, ecological roles, and community structure of early terrestrial arthropods. Chapter 1 introduces the significance of coprolites as paleoecological proxies, outlining their potential to reconstruct complex food web interactions in Pennsylvanian peat swamp ecosystems. Chapter 2 presents a comprehensive review of the cellulose acetate peel method, offering updated protocols for coal ball preparation and detailing best practices for physical and digital curation. Chapter 3 examines a case study of coprolite-filled borings within Psaronius roots, providing evidence for a multi-tiered detritivore-coprophage interaction and shedding light on the life history strategies of arthropods in forest floor habitats. Chapter 4 develops a classification framework for over 5,500 coprolites into 20 morphotypes, inferring potential arthropod producers and ecological niches through morphometrics, content analysis, and spatial associations. Chapter 5 reconstructs Pennsylvanian arthropod–plant interaction networks using bipartite analysis, revealing a shift from the low-diversity, detritivore-dominated Springfield Coal network to the more diverse, trophically complex Calhoun Coal network following the Middle–Late Pennsylvanian floral turnover. Collectively, this work demonstrates that coprolites offer exceptional resolution into biotic interactions in the deep past. By situating coprolites as integrative trace fossils, this work advances our understanding of the structure and function of Pennsylvanian peat swamp ecosystems.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Plant Biology

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Lakeram, Scott R.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Punyasena, Surangi W.
• Labandeira, Conrad C
• Donovan, Michael
• Dalling, James
• Conroy, Jessica

• Coprolites, Arthropod herbivory, Detritivory, Coal balls, Pennsylvanian Subperiod, Carboniferous peat forest, Terrestrial arthropods, Paleoecology, Plant–arthropod interactions

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Scott Lakeram

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132683

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/132683