Gryphaeostrea sp.

(Fig. 3 D-F)

MATERIAL. — 3 specimens (MDG/LBV/Lm-7.1 to Lm-7.3).

OCCURRENCE. — Turonian of Gabon (this study).

DESCRIPTION

Shell is large, inequivalve, elongated to oval in outline. LV is strongly convex, inflated. RV is only slightly convex. LV beak is opisthogyrally spiral. Anterior wall of LV is spirally curved. Attachment area is small to large, depressed occupies the posterodorsal portion of the left valve. Ornamentation of LV consists of growth lamellae which adjoining the attachment area. RV is flat to slightly convex. Ornamentation consists of dense, fine growth squamae.

REMARK

The northern Gabon Coastal Basin specimens show great similarities with young specimen of Gryphaeostrea vomer Stephenson, 1941 from the Upper Cretaceous which illustrated and described by Pugaczewska (1977). It differs from the present material by having larger space between growth lamellae.