Bajocian bivalves from Ellsworth Land, Antarctica

Abstract

Abstract Bajocian bivalves are described from 2 localities in the Behrendt Mountains, Ellsworth Land, Antarctica. The fauna consist of 26 species, 3 of which were noted by Quilty in 1978. Of these, only 2 have been formally described previously, 7 are described as new (Oxytoma trechmanni, Entolium spedeni. Camptonectes robusta, Placunopsis parallela, Pholadomya anterumbonis, Pleuromya latarugata. Pronoella antarctica), and the rest are left in informal nomenclature. Eocallista sp., a Late Jurassic form omitted by Quilty in 1978, is also described. The fauna is a nearshore marine association lacking Inoceramus, and accumulated, as part of a diverse fauna, in quiet conditions in dark siltstone to fine sandstone, perhaps before the onset of a period of major Late Jurassic island arc tectonism. It is dominated by complete, articulated specimens of infaunal genera, particularly Pleuromya.