Wood, J. B., Byrne, R. A. and Monks, N. (2003) Coleoid cephalopods through time and cyberspace; using Cephbase to examine behavior and selection. Berliner paläobiologische Abhandlungen, 3 . pp. 261-266.

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Abstract

The Coleoidea have a patchy fossil record with some groups having an extensive record and others having virtually none. These extremes are clearly shown when the Belemnoidea are compared with the Octopoda. The reason for this disparity is the lack of a calcified shell (or a shell of any kind) in the recent coleoid groups. There are also profound differences in life history, physiology, anatomy and ecology between the Coleoidea and the other extant cephalopod group, the Nautiloidea, implying that the radiation of the Coleoidea involved more than just modifying the shell. Consequently, and in contrast to the other major molluscan clades, understanding coleoid phylogeny is heavily dependent on a variety of studies of extant taxa. However, preserved material loses much unique and essential information that defines the class, such as rapid behavioral variation in appearance. Traditional methods of disseminating scientific information also limit the kinds of data that can be presented due to high publication costs. CephBase (www.cephbase.utmb.edu) offers researchers a new tool. It allows easy access to 1500 color images, 144 video clips, over 5,000 references, and predator, prey and location data for extant cephalopods.

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