Rastellum
Rastellum is an genus of extinct molluscs, which lived from the Middle Jurassic to the Late Cretaceous.[3][4][5] SubtaxaSpecies within this genus include:[6]
Fossil recordFossils of Rastellum are found from the Middle Jurassic until the Late Cretaceous (age range: from 161.2 to 66.043 million years ago.).[7] They are present in the Cretaceous marine strata throughout the world, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Gabon, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Libya, Madagascar, Mozambique, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and United States. They can also be found in the Jurassic marine strata of India, Japan, Mexico and Poland.[6] DescriptionThe shells of molluscs of Rastellum species can reach a length of about 10 cm (3.9 in). These oysters had a narrow-valved, tubular shell, which was composed of regularly alternating sharp ridges and deep folds. The vulnerable commissure (along which the valves meet) was sunk. LifestyleThis genus inhabited warm waters, where it cemented itself with the pointed vertebrae to shells or corals. Oysters belonging to the genus Rastellum were stationary epifaunal suspension feeders.[6] ReferencesWikispecies has information related to Rastellum. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rastellum.
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