Claussen et al., 2019

Author(s):Claussen, A. L., Munnecke, A., Wilson, M. A., Oswald, I.
Year:2019
Title:The oldest deep-boring bivalves? Evidence from the Silurian of Gotland (Sweden)
Journal:Facies
Volume:65
Number:3
Publisher:Springer Nature
Abstract

Compared to modern counterparts, bioerosion is rare in Paleozoic reefs, especially macro-bioerosion. The unique and enigmatic Silurian reefs from Gotland (Sweden), composed of bryozoans and microbial laminates, show evidence of a large amount of bioerosion. The samples contain Trypanites trace fossils, as well as a large number of undescribed macroborings. Small articulated bivalve shells are preserved in some of these macroborings, identifed from thin-sections. Three-dimensional images from micro-computed tomography (microCT) reveal an additional bivalve, which is occupying a bioerosion trace. This specimen is possibly contained in a diferent boring that can be classifed as possibly clavate-shaped. Furthermore, evidence of nestling, such as a subsequent modifcation of the ichnofossils, the presence of bivalves that are much smaller than the trace, or the presence of additional specimens, is missing; therefore, it is most likely that the bivalves made the borings. This is evidence for the existence of deep-boring bivalves in the Silurian.

Keywords:Bivalvia, Gotland, Paleontology, Reefs, Silurian, Stromatoporoidea, Sweden, Trace fossils
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10347-019-0570-7
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