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A Silurian (Llandovery) Eoplectodonta Shell Bed in Western Ireland: The Role of Opportunism, Storms and Sedimentation Rates in Its Formation
- Irish Journal of Earth Sciences
- Royal Irish Academy
- Volume 21, 2003
- pp. 105-114
- 10.1353/ijes.2003.0007
- Article
- Additional Information
Abstract:
The ambitopic brachiopod Eoplectodonta is common in many upper Llandovery assemblages from deep-water settings, but this small plectambonitoid is not a noted opportunist. At least one level within the Telychian Kilbride Formation of north Connemara, western Ireland, contains unusual shelly associations overwhelmingly dominated by Eoplectodonta penkillensis (Reed). An opportunist model is developed for this assemblage based on the availability of vacant soft substrates periodically created after intermittent storm activity on the deep shelf. In addition, rapid sediment accumulation during transgression may have been an important contributing factor in this high-stress environment.