New Eocene marine bivalves from Baja California Sur, Mexico

Abstract

A new genus, a new subgenus, and five new species of pterioid bivalves are described from shallow-marine faunas in the middle lower to middle Eocene Bateque Formation in the vicinity of Laguna San Ignacio to about 105 km southward, Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Batequeus n. gen. is a medium-sized pectinid with equally convex valves, a short byssal notch, anterior auricles smaller than the posterior ones, the left valve with numerous very closely spaced radial riblets that show the imbricated growth lines very well, the right valve with about 30 low, flat-topped radial ribs that can be grooved, and intercalary ribs on both valves. It is only known from its type species, Batequeus mezquitalensis n. sp., which is from the middle Eocene part of the Bateque Formation. Spondylus batequensis n. sp., a very spinose species, is from the middle lower Eocene part of the Bateque Formation and is only the second reported Spondylus from the lower Eocene of the west coast of North America. Pycnodonte (Phygraea) pacifica n. sp., a species characterized by a radial sulcus that originates in the umbo area, occurs in both the middle lower and middle Eocene parts of the Bateque Formation. Phygraea has not been reported previously from the west coast of North America. Pycnodonte (Pegma) n. subgen. has a plicate left valve with a large attachment area (that can cover the entire valve) and a right valve that usually has an inflated smooth central area surrounded by plicate margins. It is only known from its type species, Pycnodonte (Pegma) bajaensis n. sp., which occurs in both the middle lower and middle Eocene parts of the Bateque Formation. Cubitostrea mezquitalensis n. sp., a strongly ornamented species, is from the middle Eocene part of the Bateque Formation and is the first occurrence of this genus from the west coast of North America.