CONODONT TAPHONOMY TRAVELING THROUGH THE ALIMENTARY CANAL OF MODERN FISH

Single conodonts and reconstructions of multi-element apparatuses were fed to fish to investigate the preservation of conodonts following predation. Relatively pristine conodonts of the genera Icriodus, Mesotaxis, and Polygnathus from the lower Antrim Shale and West River Formation were photographed then arranged singularly or in an apparatus following the models of Purnell. The conodonts were fed to a fish in a controlled environment. The feces were then caught on a tray lined with petroleum jelly at the bottom of the container holding the fish. A wire mesh was placed between the fish and the substrate in order to ensure the fish would not interfere with the feces. The feces were then removed from the container and the conodont elements examined and photographed. Initial results using cichlids indicate separation, breakage, and reordering of the conodont elements. P₁ elements were preserved whole while S and P₂ elements were preferentially broken.