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Cubitostrea

Cubitostrea

Overview

Cubitostrea Sacco, 1897.

Key morphological features: Shells curved, crescentic or triangular in shape. Chomata are present on both sides of the hinge. Exterior of left valve features prominent, closely spaced, rounded radial ribs that produce crenulation at its margin. The right valve has no sculpture and a smooth margin. Source: Stenzel, H.B. 1971. Oysters. in Cox et al., eds., Treatise on Invertebrate paleontology, Part N, Mollusca 6, Volume 3. The University of Kansas and Geological Society of America. 272 pp.

Geological range: Eocene to Miocene; Extinct. (source: Stenzel, 1971).

Geographic distribution: A distributional map for ancient Cubitostrea may be accessed from the Paleobiology Database.

Diversity: The Paleobiology Database recognizes 23 fossil Cubitostrea species (unvetted).

Paleoecology: As members of the Ostreidae, it is assumed that all species of Cubitostrea were sessile, filter-feeding bivalves that lived permanently attached to hard substrates.

Phylogenetic status: Unknown.

Cubitostrea Species present in the Neogene of the Southeastern United States