Spondylus gaederopus Linnaeus, 1758, Pleistocene, Solanto (Italy)

Phylum: Mollusca
Classis: Bivalvia
Order: Pteroida
Genus: Spondylus
Species: Spondylus gaederopus Linnaeus, 1758

Description
The lithofacies of Calcareniti di Palermo, belonging to the Sintema di Marsala, hosts a rich invertebrate fossil fauna developed during the Pleistocene Epoch. These shelf deposits are calcarenites, characterized by a yellow-whitish colour, and they are linked to the regressive trend that took place during the Early Pleistocene.

The specimen of Spondylus gaederopus is a well-preserved right valve, with a sub-oval shape and a slightly asymmetric prosogyrate umbo. The ligament is internal. The isodont hinge is visible and well preserved. The inner part of the valve presents a single adductor muscle scar, while the pallial line scar is absent. The external surface is ornated by radial crests and robust spines.

Dimensions: 4.88 cm x 3.43 cm x 1.7 cm.
Age: Pleistocene
Stratigraphic distribution: Neogene-Quaternary
Sampling site: Solanto (PA, Italy)

Credits: 3D model provided by Gabriele Benedetti and Dr. Bonali Fabio, description provided by Gabriele Benedetti, Dr. Valentina Bracchi and Prof. Daniela Basso.