Phalium

Abstract: Five new species of mollusks are described from the early Eocene Maniobra Formation, northeastern Orocopia Mountains, southern California. The new species are from the basal part of the formation, and the fauna is indicative of the West Coast provincial molluscan early Eocene “Capay Stage.” The mollusks are shallow-marine forms that were transported a short distance into slope/upper submarine-canyon deposits. Chedevillia saltonensis n. sp. and Eocypraea ? maniobraensis n. sp. resemble Eocene species from Paris Basin, France. Phalium (Semicassis) louella n. sp. is the earliest North American species of Semicassis. Volutilithes orocopiaensis n. sp. is the earliest North American species of this genus and resembles V. muricinus from Paris Basin. Glossus ( Meiocardia ) susukii n. sp. is the earliest reported species of Meiocardia on the West Coast of North and South America. Galeodea gallica, a species previously only known from lower Eocene strata in the Anglo-Paris Basin, is tentatively identified from the Maniobra Formation. Campanilopa dilloni, previously only known from south-central California, is present in the formation. Supplementary descriptions and illustrations are given for these two species. The Maniobra species described have a close relationship to species characteristic of the Eurasian Tethyan paleobiogeographic province. The age of the Maniobra mollusks permits greater resolution of the timing of the westward migration of the Eurasian species, indicating that much of it occurred during early Eocene and/or late Paleocene time.

Abstract: T he thickened outer, palatal or apertural lips, often water-worn and collected dead on the beach, of two Mediterranean helmet shells (Superfamily Tonnacea, Family Cassidae, Genus Phalium) frequently were collected and often holed as ornaments in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean Basin. Complete helmet shells are also known from graves and sanctuaries in the area. They are generally found on sandy and muddy bottoms in shallow to deep water. This article records the excavated cassid "lips" and the complete shells found in graves and sanctuaries. Unless otherwise noted, the distances given are "as-the-crow-flies" distances from the Mediterranean Sea.

Abstract: Clibanarius symmetricus is a diogenid hermit crab that is highly abundant in rocky intertidal environments, including the rock outcrops of Amazon estuaries. This study characterises the C. symmetricus shell utilisation pattern in the Marapanim River estuary, Para, Equatorial Amazon, based on the hypothesis that occupancy patterns would differ, in relation to biometry and diversity of occupied shells, from those of other regions in the range of this species due to the distinct and unique environmental characteristics of equatorial estuaries. Monthly samplings were carried out from August 2006 to July 2007, in the upper and lower areas of the mid-littoral during low tides. A total of seven gastropod species were found as shells occupied by hermit crabs: 93.33% were Thaisella trinitatensis shells, 2.00% Nassarius vibex, 2.00% Neritina virginea, 1.33% Natica marochiensis, 0.67% Parvanachis obesa, and, occasionally, Littorina flava and Phalium granulatum shells, each with only one occurrence (0.33%). J...

Abstract: Five new species of mollusks are described from the early Eocene Maniobra Formation, northeastern Orocopia Mountains, southern California. The new species are from the basal part of the formation, and the fauna is indicative of the West Coast provincial molluscan early Eocene "Capay Stage." The mollusks are shallow-marine forms that were transported a short distance into slope/upper submarine-canyon deposits. Chedevillia saltonensis n. sp. and Eocypraea? maniobraensis n. sp. resemble Eocene species from Paris Basin, France. Phalium (Semicassis) louella n. sp. is the earliest North American species of Semicassis. Volutilithes orocopiaensis n. sp. is the earliest North American species of this genus and resembles V. muricinus from Paris Basin. Glossus (Meiocardia) susukii n. sp. is the earliest reported species of Meiocardia on the West Coast of North and South America. Galeodea gallica, a species previously only known from lower Eocene strata in the Anglo-Paris Basin, is tentatively identified from the Maniobra Formation. Campanilopa dilloni, previously only known from south-central California, is present in the formation. Supplementary descriptions and illustrations are given for these two species. The Maniobra species described have a close relationship to species characteristic of the Eurasian Tethyan paleobiogeographic province. The age of the Maniobra mollusks permits greater resolution of the timing of the westward migration of the Eurasian species, indicating that much of it occurred during early Eocene and/or late Paleocene time.