Palaeoecology of Valletia antiqua Favre in Joukowsky & Favre, 1913 (Bivalvia, Hippuritida, Diceratidae); with comments on the taxonomy and distribution of the genus Valletia

Abstract

The early rudist bivalve Valletia antiqua Favre in Joukowsky & Favre, 1913 is recorded for the first time from the Tithonian to Berriasian Štramberk Limestone (northeastern Czech Republic) and Ernstbrunn Limestone (Lower Austria). The species is re-described and its spatial distribution and stratigraphical range are outlined. Furthermore, the palaeoecology of Valletia antiqua is discussed in the light of novel data on palaeocommunities and microfacies, habitat selection and intraspecific competition for settling space among juveniles. The study is supplemented with a commented list of all nominal species that have been assigned to Valletia, including data on type localities, type strata, and distribution.