Abstract
An unusual occurrence in the upper Albian Toolebuc Formation of Queensland, Australia, of penetration of a guard of the belemnite Dimitobelus (Dimitobelus) stimulus into the disc of an indeterminate inoceramid bivalve, is the first report of this type of shell damage in the fossil record. The belemnite punctured completely both valves of the bivalve to the maximum diameter of the belemnite guard, by inferred compaction from sediment overburden during post-mortem biostratinomic processes. Shell thickening of the inoceramid bivalve by shearing of prismatic layers at the site of puncture indicates that the bivalve shell behaved plastically during the puncture and that the great flexibility of the prismatic layers was facilitated by the relatively thin shell and presence of organic sheaths around individual prisms. This flexibility may have been advantageous during a predatory attack, by allowing the maintenance of a seal during breakage of the shell margin.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
