Permian bivalve molluscs from the Gai-As Formation, northern Namibia: systematics, taphonomy and biostratigraphy

Fossil bivalves from two horizons in the Gai-As Formation of NW Namibia are tentatively correlated with mid-Permian taxa of the Passa Dois Group of Brazil, supporting the concept that the Paraná Basin extended into Africa. The Namibian fauna includes a new genus and species, Huabiella compressa, whi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Alcheringa (Sydney) 2011-12, Vol.35 (4), p.497-516
Main Authors: David, Juliana M., Simões, Marcello G., Anelli, Luiz E., Rohn, Rosemarie, Holzfoerster, Frank
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biostratigraphy
Bivalvia
Gai-As Formation
Huab area
Megadesmidae
Permian
Rio do Rasto Formation
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Summary:Fossil bivalves from two horizons in the Gai-As Formation of NW Namibia are tentatively correlated with mid-Permian taxa of the Passa Dois Group of Brazil, supporting the concept that the Paraná Basin extended into Africa. The Namibian fauna includes a new genus and species, Huabiella compressa, which was previously confused with Brazilian taxa. The taphonomy of the bivalve-rich strata indicates deposition under the influence of episodic events, such as storms. The Gai-As Formation directly overlies the mesosaurid-bearing deposits of the Huab Formation, indicating a significant unconformity when compared with the more complete succession of the Passa Dois Group, Paraná Basin, Brazil. The studied bivalve assemblages are no younger than 265±2.5 Ma (mid-Permian), based on U/Pb radiometric dating of zircons from tuffs.
ISSN:0311-5518
1752-0754
DOI:10.1080/03115518.2011.538908