X-ray microtomography 3D model of a bioeroded limestone pebble given to me by a friend who wanted to know what the holes were. Not technically art but I think it looks cool.
I identified 4 distinct types of borings (ichnotaxa) in this 3-cm pebble:
Entobia cf. cretacea (white): typical sponge borings, composed of interconnected chambers and exploratory threads; by far the dominant ichnotaxon in the sample (97% of bioeroded volume).
Caulostrepsis taeniola (blue): U-shaped borings made by polychaete worms (e.g. spionids).
Unnamed Caulostrepsis ichnospecies (cyan): long and tightly U-shaped borings, possibly also made by polychaete worms.
Trypanites solitarius (green): simple unbranched borings that can be produced by many different organisms (polychaetes, bryozoans, phoronids).
(A-B) Full sample. (A) External view. (B) Virtual mould of the borings. (C-G) Virtual moulds of individual borings. (C-E) Caulostrepsis taeniola (note the variability in size). (F) Caulostrepsis unnamed ichnospecies. (G) Trypanites solitarius.
Experiments with limestone bricks show that bioerosion comparable in nature and extent to the one showcased here can develop after 3-4 years (Färber et al. 2016), providing a rough estimate of the time elapsed between this rock fragment first being exposed and it washing onto the shore where my friend picked it up.
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