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The Ramonalinids: a new family of mound-building bivalves of the Early Middle Triassic
Article first published online: 13 NOV 2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2009.00908.x
© The Palaeontological Association
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How to Cite
YANCEY, T. E., WILSON, M. A. and MIONE, A. C. S. (2009), The Ramonalinids: a new family of mound-building bivalves of the Early Middle Triassic. Palaeontology, 52: 1349–1361. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2009.00908.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 13 NOV 2009
- Article first published online: 13 NOV 2009
- Typescript received 19 November 2008; accepted in revised form 2 August 2009
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Keywords:
- Middle Triassic;
- Bivalvia;
- systematics;
- Israel;
- mounds
Abstract: Ramonalina n. gen. is a large thick-shelled bivalve abundant in mounds preserved in the Gevanim Formation (late Anisian, Middle Triassic) of southern Israel. This bivalve was an edgewise-recliner with a flattened anteroventral (functionally basal) surface and partially fused valves. It is the basis of a new family, the Ramonalinidae, which is descended from the myalinids through adaptation to edgewise positioning. Ligamental attachment was inadequate to hold valves together on large adults, resulting in valve displacement followed by shell secretion in the apical area that fused valves together and caused irregular growth on abapical areas. The ramonalinids formed large, nearly monospecific mounds on firm mud substrates in shallow marine waters. These are the largest Middle Triassic bivalve mounds known.