Bivalve
(Animalia, Invertebrata, Mollusca, Bivalvia, Sanguinolites Variabilis)
Collected by : John Dunn
Comb, Northumberland
Scremerston Coal Group, Redesdale Ironstone, Carboniferous, Dinantian, Visean, Asbian
This bivalve burrowed into the surface of shallow tropical sea floor. It fed on small food particles that it filtered out of the sea water. The bivalve probably died in its burrow because its two shells have remained joined together. Sanguinolites is usually found in a specialised high density - low diversity fauna that could tolerate extremely salty (hypersaline) sea water such as that found in coastal lagoons. It is often found with another bivalve Modiolus after which this specialised community is named.
NEWHM:G146.20 hmgfoss.mdf (Hancock Museum Fossil Collection)
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