Comparison of Trail Curve Fractal Dimensions (FDs) of Soft-Bodied and Shelly Invertebrates from Talsari Tidal Flat, Odisha: A Case Study

ABSTRACT

The present study attempts a numerical characterization of randomly (irrespective of ethological variants) selectedtrails of shelly (gastropod) and soft-bodied (holothurian) invertebrates from intertidal Talsari Beach, Odisha, based on the FD values (n=300) of the trail segments. Scatter plots and Box plots of FD values of gastropod (G-FD) and holothurian (H-FD)trails, extracted for a range of trail displacements (2-20 cm), depict consistentlyhigher values for holothurian trails (H-FD>1.2) compared to those of gastropod trails (G-FD < 1.2). Marginal (<1%) overlap of G-FD and H-FD plots is detectable when compared for smaller trail segments (<6cm). One-way ANOVA further confirms a statistically significant difference between G-FD and H-FD values, probably suggesting greater movement complexities represented by the holothurian trails.This unique approach of comparing scale-specific trail FDs may be useful in detecting probable anatomical and/or taxonomic signatures of the trace makers from their preserved traces. Encouraging results sifted from this preliminary work prompt further study and data acquisition for formal diagnosis of the tracemakers from their preserved traces.