Thursday, August 25, 2016

An agatized pelecypod from the Genus Astarte from Morocco

Among the many examples of agatized gastropods, from the Eocene layers of the Dakhla region of Morocco, that are appearing on the market, I found two pelecypod specimens. They are small, about an inch (2.54 cm) in diameter and appear to be the same species. I don't have any literature that can get me an ID down to even the species level but it appears that they belong to the Genus Astarte. The closest Subgenus I could possible winnow them down to could be Laevastarte but beyond that I would need to see the interior of the shells.

Specimen #1- Right valve
Ventral view of both valves

Left valve
Anterior view of both valves
Dorsal view of both valves
Posterior view of both valves

Specimen #2 - Left Valve
Right Valve
Ventral view of both valves
Anterior view of both valves
Dorsal view of both valves
Posterior view of both valves

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