Marine Myalinidae (Bivalvia, Pterioida) from the Permian of West Texas. American Museum novitates ; no. 3469

Abstract

Marine bivalves of the family Myalinidae are an important benthic constituent of the Permian Reef Complex of West Texas and New Mexico. We describe and summarize the myalinids from Lower and Middle Permian reef and near-reef settings and infer living habits as either epifaunal or semi-infaunal byssally attached suspension feeders. The six myalinid species described are exceptionally preserved as silica pseudomorphs. Included in the fauna are two new taxa: Myalina lamellosa, a species with distinctive commarginal lamellae, and Myalina plicata, the only known myalinid with prominent radial plicae. The family Myalinidae is placed in the Ambonychioidea (Order Pterioida) and an emended diagnosis incorporates ligament characters and details of shell ultrastructure.