Reply to the comment on “No evidence for fungal infection of Upper Jurassic horseshoe crabs: A comment on Błażejowski et al. (2019)” by Zatoń 2020. Palaeo3, XXX–XXX

Abstract In the comment on our paper (this issue), Zaton (2020) questions the conclusions reported in Blazejowski et al. (2019). We present further arguments defending our theses. Late Jurassic horseshoe crabs preserved in sediments of the Kcynia Formation, (Owadow-Brzezinki Quarry), lived in a restricted lagoon repeatedly subjected to dysoxia/anoxia, which promoted their excellent state of preservation. The palaeobiological interpretation of the traces visible on horseshoe crab exoskeletons is consistent with the occurrence of temporal oxygen deficiency.