Mesozoic Bivalvia Fossils from Northwest Australian Canyons

The Australian Ocean Data Network provides rock sample data from the Clerke and Mermaid Canyons off the northwest Australian shelf. The dataset contains macrofauna, mainly bivalves, from four sets of samples collected at depths between 3625 and 4480 meters. The fossils, including species like Pseudopecten dugong and Palaeocurdita aff. globiformis, indicate an Early Jurassic to Norian-Rhaetian age and show Tethyan and Southeast Asian relationships.

Use Cases

• Classifying bivalve species based on morphological descriptions from rock samples.
• Dating geological formations based on the described index fossils like Pseudopecten dugong.
• Analyzing paleobiogeographic relationships between the Australian shelf and Southeast Asia based on species affinities.
• Studying the depositional environment of deep-water canyons using the described oolitic calcarenite and coral assemblages.

Strengths

• Data is associated with specific geographic coordinates (e.g., 16° 19'S, 118° 23'E) and depth ranges (3625-4480 m).
• Includes taxonomic identification of key species used for age dating (Early Jurassic, Norian-Rhaetian).
• Describes the geological context of samples, such as oolitic calcarenite and coral assemblages.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic/temporal bias inherent to data_gov_au.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Rock samples collected from the continental slope, likely via scientific coring or dredging.

Time Range

Mesozoic era, specifically Early Jurassic and Norian-Rhaetian (Late Triassic).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-05 06:59:39.731286; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Clerke and Mermaid Canyons, northwest Australian continental shelf.