Abstract
From Albian to Maastrichtian times oysters belonging to the genus Pycnodonte were a major component of the bivalve fauna. In marly and sandy Cenomanian facies several oysters occurred in banks; one of them is Pycnodonte (P.) biauriculatum which is distributed from the Iberian Peninsula to Central Asia. In western France, from Maine to North Aquitaine it formed oysterbanks' as monospecific communities. The species was particularly well adapted to live on a soft, probably waterlogged, substrate. Three ontogenetical stages were recognised: they were induced by the morphological adaptations required to keep the commissure of the shell above the oozy substrate and hence maintain the normal biological functions. Despite an exceptionally successful development P. (P.) biauriculatum is a very short-lived species: between 44,000 and 125,000 years. This extraordinary but brief success can be explained by the important Late Cenomanian transgressions.
Published Version
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