Ecological aspects of a silicified bivalve fauna from the Silurian of Gotland

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The silicified Wenlockian (Silurian) bivalve fauna from Mollbos, Gotland, is part of a life assemblage. The vast number of shells show unusual phenomena, e.g. shell repair, pearl and tumor formation, etc. A number of shells contain epibionts and bored, round holes. Presumptive predators of the bivalve community are discussed. Size-frequency distribution of the 2 most abundant species possibly reflects age classes. The fauna, comprising 11 spp. [Indeterminate genus and species, Maminka sp., MytilarcaQ sp., Caesariella lindensis, Palaeostraba baltica, Goniophora onyx, Molinicola gotlandica, Freja fecunda, Janeia silurica), is dominated by deposit-feeders (90%). They exhibit niche diversification, including at least 3 different feeding levels within the sediment.