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 |
| SARV-WB: | edit record |