Fig. 93—LOWER MESOZOIC BIVALVES.A—Unionella carnei, Eth. fil. Triassic. New South WalesB—Mytilus problematicus, Zittel. Triassic. New ZealandC—Monotis salinaria, Zittel. Triassic. New ZealandD—Trigonia moorei, Lycett. Jurassic. W. AustraliaE—Astarte cliftoni, Moore. Jurassic. W. Australia
A—Unionella carnei, Eth. fil. Triassic. New South WalesB—Mytilus problematicus, Zittel. Triassic. New ZealandC—Monotis salinaria, Zittel. Triassic. New ZealandD—Trigonia moorei, Lycett. Jurassic. W. AustraliaE—Astarte cliftoni, Moore. Jurassic. W. Australia
The Queensland Trias (Burrum Formation) contains a solitary species of bivalved mollusca,Corbicula burrumensis. This genus is generally found associated with freshwater or brackish conditions.
In New Zealand marine Triassic beds occur, containing, amongst other genera, a species ofLeda. In the succeeding Wairoa Series the interesting fossil,Daonella lommelioccurs. This shell is typical of the Norian (Upper Trias) of the Southern Tyrol. Above theDaonellabed occurs theTrigoniabed, with that genus andEdmondia. In the next younger stage, the Otapiri Series, near Nelson, there are fine-grained sandstones packed full of the remains ofMytilus problematicus(Fig. 93 B) andMonotis salinaria(Fig. 93 C), the latter also a Norian fossil.
Jurassic Bivalves.—
Jurassic bivalved molluscs are plentiful in the W. Australian limestones, as at Greenough River. Amongst others may be mentionedCucullaea semistriata,Ostrea,Gryphaea,Trigonia moorei(Fig. 93 D),Pecten cinctus,Ctenostreon pectiniformeandAstarte cliftoni(Fig. 93 E). Several of the species found are identical with European Jurassic fossils.
Jurassic strata in Victoria, being of a freshwater and lacustrine nature, yield only species ofUnio, asU. dacombei, andU. stirlingi.
The Jurassic beds of S. Australia contain a species ofUnionamedU. eyrensis. In the same strata which contains this shell, plant remains are found, asCladophlebisandThinnfeldia, two well-known types of Jurassic ferns.
Lower Cretaceous Bivalves.—
In Queensland the Lower Cretaceous limestones and marls contain a large assemblage of bivalves, the more important of which areNucula truncata(Fig. 94 A),Maccoyella reflecta(Fig. 94 B),M. barkleyi,Pecten socialisandFissilunula clarkei(Fig. 94 C), from Wollumbilla; andInoceramus pernoides,I. carsoniandAucella hughendenensisfrom the Flinders River (the latter also from New South Wales).
In the Lake Eyre District of S. Australia we findMaccoyella barkleyi, which also occurs in Queensland and New South Wales (at White Cliffs),Trigonia cinctuta,Mytilus rugocostatusandModiola eyrensis. The handsome bivalve,Pleuromya planaoccurs near Broome in W. Australia.
Fig. 94—CRETACEOUS BIVALVES.A—Nucula truncata, Moore. L. Cretaceous. South AustraliaB—Maccoyella reflecta, Moore sp. Up. and L. Cretaceous. Q’land.C—Fissilunula clarkei, Moore sp. Up. and L. Cretaceous. Q’land.D—Inoceramus carsoni, McCoy. L. Cretaceous. QueenslandE—Cyrenopsis opallites, Eth. fil. Up. Cretaceous. New South WalesF—Conchothyra parasitica, Hutton. Cretaceous. New Zealand
A—Nucula truncata, Moore. L. Cretaceous. South AustraliaB—Maccoyella reflecta, Moore sp. Up. and L. Cretaceous. Q’land.C—Fissilunula clarkei, Moore sp. Up. and L. Cretaceous. Q’land.D—Inoceramus carsoni, McCoy. L. Cretaceous. QueenslandE—Cyrenopsis opallites, Eth. fil. Up. Cretaceous. New South WalesF—Conchothyra parasitica, Hutton. Cretaceous. New Zealand
Upper Cretaceous Bivalves.—
The Upper Cretaceous or Desert Sandstone at Maryborough, Queensland, has yielded amongst others, the following shells:—(Nucula gigantea,Maccoyella reflectaalso found in the Lower Cretaceous of Queensland, New South Wales and S. Australia), andFissilunula clarkei(also found in the L. Cretaceous of New South Wales, Queensland and S. Australia). Some of these beds, however, which were hitherto believed to belong to the Upper and Lower Series respectively may yet prove to be on one horizon—the Lower Cretaceous.Cyrenopsis opallites(Fig. 94 E) of White Cliffs, New South Wales, appears to be a truly restricted Upper Cretaceous species.
The Cretaceous of New Zealand (Amuri System) containsTrigonia sulcata,Inoceramussp. and the curious, contorted shell,Conchothyra parasitica(Fig. 94 F) which is related toPugnellus, a form usually considered as a sub-genus ofStrombus.
From Papua anInoceramushas been recorded from probable Cretaceous beds.
Cainozoic Bivalves.—
In Victoria, South Australia, and the N.W. of Tasmania, as well as in New Zealand, Cainozoic marine beds are well developed, and contain an extensive bivalved molluscan fauna. Of these fossils only a few common and striking examples can here be noticed, on account of the limits of the present work.
The commonest genera are:—Ostrea,Placunanomia,Dimya,Spondylus,Lima,Pecten,Arca,Barbatia,Plagiarca,Cucullaea,Glycimeris,Limopsis,Nucula,Leda,Trigonia,Cardita,Cuna,Crassatellites,Cardium,Protocardium,Chama,Meretrix,Venus(Chione),Dosinea,Gari,Mactra,Corbula,Lucina,Tellina,SemeleandMyodora.
Fig. 95—CAINOZOIC BIVALVES.A—Dimya dissimilis, Tate. Balcombian. VictoriaB—Spondylus pseudoradula, McCoy. Balcombian. VictoriaC—Pecten polymorphoides, Zittel. Janjukian. South AustraliaD—Leda vagans, Tate. Janjukian. South AustraliaE—Modiola praerupta, Pritchard. Balcombian. Victoria
A—Dimya dissimilis, Tate. Balcombian. VictoriaB—Spondylus pseudoradula, McCoy. Balcombian. VictoriaC—Pecten polymorphoides, Zittel. Janjukian. South AustraliaD—Leda vagans, Tate. Janjukian. South AustraliaE—Modiola praerupta, Pritchard. Balcombian. Victoria
Persistent Species.—
To mention a few species of persistent range, from Balcombian to Kalimnan, we may cite the following from the Cainozoic of southern Australia:—Dimya dissimilis(Fig. 95 A),Spondylus pseudoradula(Fig. 95 B),Lima (Limatula) jeffreysiana,Pecten polymorphoides(found also in the Oamaru Series, New Zealand) (Fig. 95 C),Amusium zitteli(found also in both the Waimangaroa and Oamaru Series of New Zealand),Barbatia celleporacea,Cucullaea corioensis,Limopsis maccoyi,Nucula tenisoni,Leda vagans(Fig. 95 D),Corbula ephamillaandMyodora tenuilirata.
Balcombian Bivalves.—
On the other hand, many species have a restricted range, and these are invaluable for purposes of stratigraphical correlation. For example, in the Balcombian we haveModiola praerupta(Fig. 95 E),Modiolaria balcombei,Cuna regularis,Cardium cuculloides,Cryptodon mactraeformis,Verticordia pectinataandV. excavata.
Fig. 96—CAINOZOIC BIVALVES.A—Modiola pueblensis, Pritchard. Janjukian. VictoriaB—Cardita tasmanica, Tate. Janjukian. TasmaniaC—Lucina planatella, Tate. Janjukian. TasmaniaD—Ostrea manubriata, Tate. Kalimnan. VictoriaE—Limopsis beaumariensis, Chap. Kalimnan. VictoriaF—Venus (Chione) subroborata, Tate sp. Kalimnan. Victoria
A—Modiola pueblensis, Pritchard. Janjukian. VictoriaB—Cardita tasmanica, Tate. Janjukian. TasmaniaC—Lucina planatella, Tate. Janjukian. TasmaniaD—Ostrea manubriata, Tate. Kalimnan. VictoriaE—Limopsis beaumariensis, Chap. Kalimnan. VictoriaF—Venus (Chione) subroborata, Tate sp. Kalimnan. Victoria
Janjukian Bivalves.—
In the Janjukian Series restricted forms of bivalves are exceptionally numerous, amongst them being:—Dimya sigillata,Plicatula ramulosa,Lima polynema,Pecten praecursor,P. eyrei,P. gambierensis,Pinna cordata,Modiola pueblensis(Fig. 96 A),Arca dissimilis,Limopsis multiradiata,L. insolita,Leda leptorhyncha,L. crebrecostata,Cardita maudensis,C. tasmanica(Fig. 96 B),Cuna radiata,Lepton crassum,Cardium pseudomagnum,Venus (Chione) multitaeniata,Solenocurtus legrandi,Lucina planatella(Fig. 96 C),Tellina porrectaandMyodora lamellata.
In Papua aPecten(P. novaeguineae) has been recorded from the ? Lower Pliocene of Yule Island.
Kalimnan Bivalves.—
The Kalimnan beds contain the following restricted or upward ranging species:—Ostrea arenicola,O. manubriata(Fig. 96 D),Pecten antiaustralis(also in the Werrikooian Series),Perna percrassa,Mytilus hamiltonensis,Glycimeris halli,Limopsis beaumariensis(also Werrikooian) (Fig. 96 E),Leda crassa(also living),Trigonia howitti,Cardita solida,C. calva(also living),Erycina micans,Meretrix paucirugata,Sunetta gibberula,Venus (Chione) subroborata(Fig. 96 F),Donax depressa,Corbula scaphoides(also living),Barnea tiara,Lucina affinis,Tellina albinelloidesandMyodora corrugata.
Werrikooian Bivalves.—
The next stage, the Werrikooian (Upper Pliocene), contains a large percentage of living species, asOstrea angasi,Placunanomia ione(ranging down into Janjukian),Glycimeris radians,Leda crassa(also a common Kalimnan fossil), various species ofVenus (Chione), asV. strigosaandV. placida, andBarnea australasiae.
Pleistocene Bivalves.—
The bivalved shells of the Pleistocene are similar to those now found living round the Australian coast, asPecten asperrimus,Mytilus latus,Leda crassa,Soletellina biradiataandSpisula parva.
Pleistocene shells of bivalved genera occur in the coastal hills of Papua, including the following:—Cultellus,Corbula,Mactra,Tellina,Venus (Chione),Dione,Dosinea,LedaandArca.
TheSCAPHOPODS(“digger foot”) or the “Elephant-tusk shells” are adapted, by their well-developed foot, to burrow into the mud and sand.
Fig. 97—FOSSIL SCAPHOPODS and CHITONS.A—Dentalium huttoni, Bather. Jurassic. New ZealandB—Dentalium mantelli, Zittel. Cainozoic. VictoriaC—Chelodes calceoloides, Eth. fil. Silurian. New South WalesD—Ischnochiton granulosus, Ashby and Torr sp. Cainozoic (Balc). VictoriaE—Cryptoplax pritchardi, Hall. Cainozoic (Kalimnan). Victoria
A—Dentalium huttoni, Bather. Jurassic. New ZealandB—Dentalium mantelli, Zittel. Cainozoic. VictoriaC—Chelodes calceoloides, Eth. fil. Silurian. New South WalesD—Ischnochiton granulosus, Ashby and Torr sp. Cainozoic (Balc). VictoriaE—Cryptoplax pritchardi, Hall. Cainozoic (Kalimnan). Victoria
Devonian Scaphopods.—
This group of mollusca makes its first appearance in Australasian sediments in the Middle Devonian (Murrumbidgee beds) of New South Wales, represented byDentalium tenuissimum.
Jurassic Scaphopods.—
In the Jurassic strata of the Mataura Series of New Zealand,Dentalium huttoni(Fig. 97 A) occurs at the Kowhai River and Wilberforce.
Cretaceous Scaphopods.—
Dentalium wollumbillensisoccurs in the drab and dark-coloured limestones of the Lower Cretaceous of the Lake Eyre Basin in S. Australia, and the same species is also found in the Lower Cretaceous (Rolling Downs Formation) of Wollumbilla, Queensland.
Cainozoic Scaphopods.—
The Cainozoic beds both of New Zealand and southern Australia yield many species ofDentalium, the commonest and most widely distributed being the longitudinally ribbedD. mantelli(Fig. 97 B), which ranges from the Balcombian to the Werrikooian stages in Australia, and is also typical of the Oamaru Series in New Zealand, where it is accompanied by the ponderous species,D. giganteum, which attained a length of over six inches. Another form common in our Cainozoics is the smooth-shelledD. subfissura; this also has a wide range, namely Balcombian to Kalimnan.
Palaeozoic Chitons.—
ThePOLYPLACOPHORAor Chitons (“Mail-shells”), first appeared in the Ordovician. In AustraliaChelodes calceoloides(Fig. 97 C) is found in the Silurian of Derrengullen Creek, Yass, New South Wales; and another species of the genus is found in beds of the same age at Lilydale, Victoria. Between that period and the Cainozoic or Tertiary there is a gap in their history in Australia.
Cainozoic Chitons.—
Ischnochiton granulosus(Fig. 97 D) is a Balcombian species of the modern type of “mail-shell,” occurring not infrequently in the clays of Balcombe’s Bay, Port Phillip, Victoria.Cryptoplax pritchardi(Fig. 97 E) is a curious form belonging to the attenuated, worm-like group of the Cryptoplacidae, until lately unknown in the fossil state; it is found in the Kalimnan Series near Hamilton, Victoria. Several other genera of the chitons are found fossil in the Australian Cainozoics which still live on our coasts, asLorica,PlaxiphoraandChiton. The first-named genus is represented fossil byLorica dunianafrom theTurritellabed (Janjukian) of Table Cape, Tasmania.
Characters of Gasteropoda.—
TheGASTEROPODA(“belly-foot”) or univalve shells possess a muscular foot placed beneath the stomach and viscera. In the Heteropoda this foot is modified as a vertical fin, and in the Pteropoda as two wing-like swimming membranes close to the head. The mantle lobe is elevated along the back like a hood, and its surfaces and edges secrete the shell which contains the animal. The shell is typically a cone (example,Patellaor Limpet) which is oftenspirally coiled either in a plane (ex.Planorbis), conically turbinoid (ex.Trochus), or turreted (ex.Turritella). The body and shell are attached by muscles, the spiral forms being attached to the columella or axial pillar, and the bowl-shaped forms to the inner surface of the shell.
Gasteropod shells are normally right-handed (dextral), but a few genera asClausilia,BulinusandPhysa, are left-handed (sinistral). The height or length of the shell is measured from the apex to the lower margin of the mouth. In coiled shells we may regard them as a more or less elongated cone wound round a central pillar, the columella, or around a central tube. A turn or coil of the shell is a whorl, and together, with the exception of the last, form the spire. The line between two adjacent whorls is the suture. When the columella is solid the shell is said to be imperforate, and when a central tube is left by the imperfect fusion of the whorls, it is perforate. The opening of the tubular columella is termed the umbilicus, and this is sometimes contracted by the encroachment of shell matter termed the callus. The aperture is entire when the rim is uninterrupted; and channelled when there is a basal notch, where the siphon which conducts water to the gills is lodged.
As a rule the large heavy gasteropods inhabit shallow water. The following living genera are characteristic of rocky shore-lines;Risella,Buccinum,PurpuraandPatella. Genera typical of sandy shores areNassa,Natica,Cypraea,TurritellaandScala.
Cambrian Gasteropods.—
From the Cambrian of South Australia Prof. Tate described some minute Gasteropods which he referred to the generaStenotheca(S. rugosa, var.paupera),Ophileta (O. subangulata)(Fig. 98 A), andPlatyceras (P. etheridgei). In these beds at Curramulka the following Pteropods were found by the same authority, viz.,Salterella planoconvexa,Hyolithes communis(Fig. 98 C) andH. conularioides.
The Cambrian Limestone of the Kimberley District, W. Australia, contains the characteristic PteropodSalterella hardmani(Fig. 98 B). The shell is a conical tube, straight or slightly curved, and measuring scarcely an inch in length.
Fig. 98—LOWER PALAEOZOIC GASTEROPODA.A—Ophileta subangulata, Tate. Cambrian. South AustraliaB—Salterella hardmani, Foord. Cambrian. West AustraliaC—Hyolithes communis, Billings. Cambrian. South AustraliaD—Scenella tenuistriata, Chapm. Cambrian. VictoriaE—Raphistoma browni, Eth. fil. Ordovician. South AustraliaF—Helicotoma johnstoni, Eth. fil. Silurian. Tasmania
A—Ophileta subangulata, Tate. Cambrian. South AustraliaB—Salterella hardmani, Foord. Cambrian. West AustraliaC—Hyolithes communis, Billings. Cambrian. South AustraliaD—Scenella tenuistriata, Chapm. Cambrian. VictoriaE—Raphistoma browni, Eth. fil. Ordovician. South AustraliaF—Helicotoma johnstoni, Eth. fil. Silurian. Tasmania
The Upper Cambrian of the Mersey River District in Tasmania has afforded some doubtful examples of the genusOphileta.
In the Upper Cambrian Limestones of the Dolodrook Valley, near Mt. Wellington, Victoria, a minute limpet shaped Gasteropod occurs, namedScenella tenuistriata(Fig. 98 D).
Ordovician Gasteropods.—
Ordovician limestones with fossil shells occur in the Leigh’s Creek District in South Australia, and also at Tempe Downs and Petermann and Laurie’s Creeks, W. of Alice Springs. The euomphaloid shellOphileta gilesiwas described from Laurie’s Creek, andEunema larapintafrom the Tempe Downs. A pleurotomarid,Raphistoma browni(Fig. 98) occurs near Leigh’s Creek, and at Laurie’s and Petermann Creeks. A Pteropod,Hyolithes leptus, has been described from the Lower Ordovician of Coole Barghurk Creek, near Meredith, Victoria.
Silurian Gasteropods.—
The Silurian Gasteropods are fairly well represented, especially in the upper stage, and are widely distributed throughout the Australian fossiliferous localities. Moreover, some of the species are identical with those found as far off as North America and Europe. In Victoria the shales and sandstones of the lower stage (Melbournian) contain the generaBellerophon,CyrtolitesandLoxonema. The Pteropoda includeTentaculites,Coleolus,HyolithesandConularia(C. sowerbii(Fig. 99 F), a species also found in Great Britain). The Victorian limestones and mudstones of the upper stage (Yeringian)are somewhat rich in Gasteropods, such genera occurring asPleurotomaria,Phanerotrema(with cancellated shell and large slit-band),Murchisonia,Gyrodoma,Bellerophon,Trematonotus(a spiral shell with a large trumpet-shaped mouth and a dorsal row of perforations in place of a slit-band),Euomphalus,Cyclonema,Trochus (Scalaetrochus),Niso (Vetotuba),Loxonema,PlatycerasandCapulus. The section Pteropoda containsTentaculites,HyolithesandConularia.
Fig. 99—SILURIAN GASTEROPODA.A—Hyolithes spryi, Chapm. Silurian (Melb.) VictoriaB—Gyrodoma etheridgei, Cressw. sp. Silurian (Yeringian). Vict.C—Bellerophon cresswelli. Eth. fil. Silurian (Yeringian). VictoriaD—Euomphalus northi, Eth. fil. sp. Silurian (Yeringian). VictoriaE—Trochonema montgomerii. Eth. fil. sp. Silurian. TasmaniaF—Conularia sowerbii, Defr. Silurian (Yeringian). Victoria
A—Hyolithes spryi, Chapm. Silurian (Melb.) VictoriaB—Gyrodoma etheridgei, Cressw. sp. Silurian (Yeringian). Vict.C—Bellerophon cresswelli. Eth. fil. Silurian (Yeringian). VictoriaD—Euomphalus northi, Eth. fil. sp. Silurian (Yeringian). VictoriaE—Trochonema montgomerii. Eth. fil. sp. Silurian. TasmaniaF—Conularia sowerbii, Defr. Silurian (Yeringian). Victoria
In the Silurian of New South Wales the chief Gasteropod genera areBellerophon (B. jukesi),Euomphalus,Omphalotrochus, andConularia (C. sowerbii.).
In Tasmania are foundRaphistoma,Murchisonia,Bellerophon,Helicotoma,TrochonemaandTentaculites.
Devonian Gasteropods.—
The derived boulders of the White Cliffs opal field have been referred to the Devonian system, but of this there is some doubt, as the Gasteropods noted from these boulders closely resemble those of the Silurian fauna: they areMurchisonia Euomphalus(E. culleni), andLoxonema. The genusMurchisoniahas also been recorded from the Baton River, New Zealand (Wangepeka Series) by MacKay.
The Middle Devonian Gasteropod fauna in Victoria, as found in the Buchan and Bindi Limestones, comprisesMurchisonia,Trochus, andPlatyceras.
Fig. 100—UPPER PALAEOZOIC GASTEROPODA.A—Gosseletina australis, Eth. fil. sp. Carboniferous. N.S. WalesB—Yvania konincki, Eth. fil. Carboniferous. N.S. WalesC—Loxonema babbindoonensis, Eth. fil. Carboniferous. N.S. WalesD—Pleurotomaria (Ptychomphalina) morrisiana, McCoy. Carbopermian. N.S. WalesE—Platyschisma oculum, Sow. sp. Carbopermian. N.S. WalesF—Murchisonia carinata, Eth. Carbopermian. Queensland
A—Gosseletina australis, Eth. fil. sp. Carboniferous. N.S. WalesB—Yvania konincki, Eth. fil. Carboniferous. N.S. WalesC—Loxonema babbindoonensis, Eth. fil. Carboniferous. N.S. WalesD—Pleurotomaria (Ptychomphalina) morrisiana, McCoy. Carbopermian. N.S. WalesE—Platyschisma oculum, Sow. sp. Carbopermian. N.S. WalesF—Murchisonia carinata, Eth. Carbopermian. Queensland
In New South Wales the best known genera arePleurotomaria,Murchisonia,Bellerophon,EuomphalusandLoxonema. The two latter genera have also been obtained at Barker Gorge, Western Australia.
Carboniferous Gasteropods.—
Carboniferous Gasteropoda have been found in New South Wales, belonging to the generaGosseletina(G. australis) (Fig. 100 A) andYvania(Y. konincki) (Fig. 100 B), both of which have their countertypes in the Carboniferous of Belgium.Y. koninckiis also found in the Carbopermian (Gympie beds) of Rockhampton, Queensland, whileY. levelliiis found in the Carbopermian of Western Australia.
Carbopermian Gasteropods.—
The Carbopermian gasteropods of New South Wales arePleurotomaria(Mourlonia),Keeneia platyschismoides,Murchisonia,Euomphalus,Platyschisma(P. oculum) (Fig. 100 E),LoxonemaandMacrocheilus. Examples of the genusConulariaare sometimes found, probably attaining a length, when complete, of 40 centimetres.
In Tasmania we findConularia tasmanica, a handsome Pteropod, also of large dimensions.Platyschisma,Pleurotomaria(Mourlonia),BellerophonandPorcelliaare amongst the Carbopermian Gasteropods of Queensland.
In Western AustraliaPleurotomaria(Mourlonia),Bellerophon,Euomphalus,Euphemus,Platyceras, andLoxonemaoccur in the Carbopermian.
Jurassic Gasteropods.—
Jurassic gasteropods are found sparingly in thelimestone of the Geraldton District and other localities in Western Australia. The more important of these arePleurotomaria(P. greenoughiensis),Turbo(T. australis) (Fig. 101 A) andRissoina(R. australis) (Fig. 101 B).
Fig. 101—MESOZOIC GASTEROPODA.A—Turbo australis, Moore. Jurassic. West AustraliaB—Rissoina australis, Moore. Jurassic. West AustraliaC—Natica ornatissima, Moore. Cretaceous. QueenslandD—Pseudamaura variabilis, Moore sp. Cretaceous. QueenslandE—Rostellaria waiparensis, Hector.—Cretaceous. New Zealand
A—Turbo australis, Moore. Jurassic. West AustraliaB—Rissoina australis, Moore. Jurassic. West AustraliaC—Natica ornatissima, Moore. Cretaceous. QueenslandD—Pseudamaura variabilis, Moore sp. Cretaceous. QueenslandE—Rostellaria waiparensis, Hector.—Cretaceous. New Zealand
Cretaceous Gasteropods.—
The Queensland gasteropod fauna comprisesCinuliaa typical Cretaceous genus,ActaeonandNatica. These occur in the Lower Cretaceous or Rolling Downs Formation.Cinuliais also found in South Australia at Lake Eyre withNatica(N. ornatissima) (Fig. 101 C).Pseudamaura variabilis(Fig. 101 D) is found in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia; whilstAnchura wilkinsonioccurs in Queensland and South Australia.
In New Zealand the Waipara Greensands (Cretaceous) contain a species ofRostellaria(R. waiparensis) (Fig. 101 E).
Cainozoic Gasteropods.—
Cainozoic Gasteropods are exceedingly abundant in beds of that system in Australasia. The Cainozoic marine fauna in Australia is practically restricted to the States of Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania; whilst New Zealand has many species in common with Australia.
Genera.—
The commonest genera of the marine Cainozoic or Tertiary deposits are:—Haliotis,Fissurellidea,Emarginula,Subemarginula,Astralium,Liotia,Gibbula,Eulima,Niso,Odostomia,Scala,Solarium,Crepidula,Calyptraea,Natica,Rissoa,Turritella,Siliquaria,Cerithium,Newtoniella,Tylospira,Cypraea,Trivia,Morio,Semicassis,Lotorium,Murex,Typhis,Columbella,Phos,Nassa,Siphonalia,Euthria(Dennantia),Fusus,Columbarium,Fasciolaria,Latirus,Marginella,Mitra,Volutilithes,Voluta,Harpa,Ancilla,Cancellaria,Terebra,Pleurotoma,Drillia,Conus,BullinellaandVaginella.
Persistent Species.—
Amongst the Cainozoic Gasteropoda of southern Australia which have a persistent range through Balcombian to Kalimnan times, we find:—Niso psila,Crepidula unguiformis(also Werrikooian and Recent),Natica perspectiva,N. hamiltonensis,Turritella murrayana,Cerithium apheles,Cypraea leptorhyncha,Lotorium gibbum,Volutilithes antiscalaris(also in Werrikooian),Marginella propinqua,Ancilla pseudaustralis,Conus ligatusandBullinella exigua.
Balcombian Gasteropods.—
Species restricted to the Balcombian stage includeScala dolicho,Seguenzia radialis,Dissocheilus eburneus,Trivia erugata,Cypraea ampullacea(Fig. 102 A),C. gastroplax,Colubraria leptoskeles,Murex didymus(Fig. 102 B),Eburnopsis aulacoessa(Fig. 102 C),Fasciolaria concinna,Mitra uniplica,Harpa abbreviata,Ancilla lanceolata,Cancellaria calvulata(Fig. 102 D),Buchozia oblongula,Pleurotoma optata,Terebra leptospiraandVaginella eligmostoma(Fig. 102 E), (also found at Gellibrand River).
Fig. 102—CAINOZOIC GASTEROPODA.A—Cypraea ampullacea, Tate. Cainozoic (Balc.) VictoriaB—Murex didymus, Tate. Cainozoic (Balc.) VictoriaC—Eburnopsis aulacoessa, Tate. Cainozoic (Balc.) VictoriaD—Cancellaria calvulata, Tate. Cainozoic (Balc.) VictoriaE—Vaginella eligmostoma, Tate. Cainozoic (Balc.) Victoria
A—Cypraea ampullacea, Tate. Cainozoic (Balc.) VictoriaB—Murex didymus, Tate. Cainozoic (Balc.) VictoriaC—Eburnopsis aulacoessa, Tate. Cainozoic (Balc.) VictoriaD—Cancellaria calvulata, Tate. Cainozoic (Balc.) VictoriaE—Vaginella eligmostoma, Tate. Cainozoic (Balc.) Victoria
Fig. 103—CAINOZOIC GASTEROPODA.A—Eutrochus fontinalis, Pritchard. Cainozoic (Janjukian). Vict.B—Morio wilsoni, Tate. Cainozoic (Janjukian). VictoriaC—Scala lampra, Tate sp. Cainozoic (Janjukian). South AustraliaD—Natica gibbosa, Hutton. Cainozoic (Janjukian). South AustraliaE—Volutilithes anticingulatus, McCoy sp. Cainozoic (Janjukian). VictoriaF—Struthiolaria sulcata, Hutton. Cainozoic (Awatere series). New Zealand
A—Eutrochus fontinalis, Pritchard. Cainozoic (Janjukian). Vict.B—Morio wilsoni, Tate. Cainozoic (Janjukian). VictoriaC—Scala lampra, Tate sp. Cainozoic (Janjukian). South AustraliaD—Natica gibbosa, Hutton. Cainozoic (Janjukian). South AustraliaE—Volutilithes anticingulatus, McCoy sp. Cainozoic (Janjukian). VictoriaF—Struthiolaria sulcata, Hutton. Cainozoic (Awatere series). New Zealand
Janjukian Gasteropods.—
Species of Gasteropods restricted to the Janjukian stage include:—Pleurotomaria tertiaria,Haliotis mooraboolensis,Liotia lamellosa,Thalotia alternata,Eutrochus fontinalis(Fig. 103 A),Astralium hudsonianum,Turbo atkinsoni,Odostomia polita,Scala lampra(Fig. 103 C),Natica gibbosa(Fig. 103 D) (also found in the Pareora Series of the Oamaru system and in the Wanganui beds of New Zealand),Calyptraea subtabulata,Turritella aldingae,Cerithiopsis mulderi,Cerithium flemingtonense,Cypraea platyrhyncha,C. consobrina,Morio wilsoni(Fig. 103 B),Lotorium abbotti,Murex otwayensis,Eburnopsistesselatus,Tudicla costata,Latirus semiundulatus,Fusus meredithae,Columbarium spiniferum,Voluta pueblensis,V. heptagonalis,V. macroptera(also recorded from Hall’s Sound, Papua) (Fig. 103 E),Volutilithes anticingulatus(also from Papua),Harpa clathrata,Bela woodsi,Bathytoma paracanthaandVolvulella inflatior.
Dolium costatum, allied to the “Fig-Shell” has been noted from the Cainozoic clays (? Lower Pliocene), Yule Island, Papua.
Fig. 104—LATE CAINOZOIC and PLEISTOCENE GASTEROPODAA—Bankivia howitti, Pritchard. Cainozoic (Kal.) VictoriaB—Eglisia triplicata, Tate sp. Cainozoic (Kal.) VictoriaC—Voluta masoni, Tate. Cainozoic (Kal.) VictoriaD—Ancilla papillata. Tate sp. Cainozoic (Kal.) VictoriaE—Terebra geniculata, Tate. Cainozoic (Kal.) VictoriaF—Helix simsoniana, Johnston. Pleistocene. Tasmania
A—Bankivia howitti, Pritchard. Cainozoic (Kal.) VictoriaB—Eglisia triplicata, Tate sp. Cainozoic (Kal.) VictoriaC—Voluta masoni, Tate. Cainozoic (Kal.) VictoriaD—Ancilla papillata. Tate sp. Cainozoic (Kal.) VictoriaE—Terebra geniculata, Tate. Cainozoic (Kal.) VictoriaF—Helix simsoniana, Johnston. Pleistocene. Tasmania
Kalimnan Gasteropods.—
Species of Gasteropods restricted to the Kalimnan Stage, or only passing upwards include:—Bankivia howitti(Fig. 104 A),Liopyrga quadricingulata,Calyptraea corrugata,Natica subvarians,Turritellapagodula,Eglisia triplicata(Fig. 104 B),Tylospira clathrata,Cypraea jonesiana,Lotorium ovoideum,Sistrum subreticulatum,Voluta masoni(Fig. 104 C),Ancilla papillata(Fig. 104 D),Cancellaria wannonensis,Drillia wanganuiensis(also in the Petane Series of New Zealand),Terebra catenifera,T. geniculata(Fig. 104 E) andRingicula tatei.
New Zealand Cainozoic Gasteropods.—
Characteristic Gasteropoda of the Oamaru Series in New Zealand arePleurotomaria tertiaria(also in the Australian Janjukian),Scala lyrata,Natica darwinii,Turritella cavershamensis,Ancilla hebera(also in the Australian Balcombian and Janjukian) andPleurotoma hamiltoni. Gasteropods of the Awatere Series in New Zealand areNatica ovata,Struthiolaria sulcata(Fig. 103 F), andScaphella corrugata(found also in the Oamaru Series). The Putiki beds of the Petane Series in New Zealand containTrophon expansus,Pisania drewiandPleurotoma wanganuiensis.
Werrikooian Gasteropods.—
The marine gasteropods of the Werrikooian of southern Australia, as found at Limestone Creek, Glenelg River, Western Victoria, and the Moorabool Viaduct near Geelong, are nearly all living at the present time, with the exception of a few older Cainozoic species. Amongst these latter areConus ralphi,Pleurotoma murndaliana,Volutilithes antiscalarisandColumbarium craspedotum.
Pleistocene Gasteropoda.—
The Pleistocene land mollusca, and especially the gasteropods of Australia, present some strikingpoints of interest, for whilst most of the species are still living, some appear to be extinct. The travertine deposits of Geilston, near Hobart, Tasmania containHelix geilstonensisandH. stanleyana, the latter still living. The calcareousHelixsandstone of the islands in Bass Strait are largely composed of shells of that genus and generally represent consolidated sand-dunes which have undergone a certain amount of elevation. One of the prevalent species isHelix simsoniana(Fig. 104 F), a handsome keeled form, somewhat related to the livingH. launcestonensis. It is found in some abundance in the Kent’s Group and in the adjacent islands.
The large ovoid land-shells,Panda atomata, although still existing, are found associated with extinct marsupials, asThylacoleo, in the stalagmitic floor of the Buchan Caves, Gippsland.
TheDiprotodon-breccias of Queensland have afforded several species ofHelixand other land-shells, as well as the brackish-water genusMelania. The Raised Beaches of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania all contain species of land and freshwater shells identical with those now found living in the same localities.
The Raised Beaches of New Zealand contain numerous marine shells all having living representatives. Some of these elevated beaches occur as high as 150 feet above sea-level at Taranaki, and at 200 feet near Cape Palliser in Cook Strait.
Many species of Pleistocene Mollusca identical with those now living in Torres Strait, the China Sea and the Philippine Islands are found in Papua. Theyoccur in the greenish sandy clay of the hills near the present coast line and comprise the following genera of Gasteropods:—Ranella,Nassa,Mitra,Oliva,Terebra,Conus,Strombus,BullaandAtys.
Characters of Cephalopoda.—
The highest class of the mollusca is theCEPHALOPODA(“head-feet”). In these shell-fish the extremity of the body or foot is modified, and furnished with eyes, a funnel and tentacles. It has also strong horny beaks or jaws which make it a formidable enemy to the surrounding life in the sea. In the chambered forms of this group the animal partitions off its shell at regular intervals, like the Pearly Nautilus and the Ammonite, inhabiting only the last chamber cavity, but still communicating with the earlier series by a continuous spiral tube (siphuncle). In some forms like the living squid and the extinct Belemnite, the shell is internal and either spoon-shaped, or dart-shaped, that is, subcylindrical and pointed.
Characters of Cephalopod Shells.—Nautiloidea.—
In geological times the nautiloid forms were the first to appear (in the Ordovician), and they were either straight shells, asOrthoceras, or only slightly curved, asCyrtoceras. Later on they became more closely coiled, and as they were thus less likely to be damaged, they gradually replaced the straight forms.
The Ammonites have the siphuncle close to the outside of the shell, whilst in the Nautilus it is more or less median. The sutures or edges of the septa inNautilusand its allies are curved or wavy, but not so sharply flexed or foliaceous as inAmmonites. TheNautiloidea range from the Ordovician and are still found living.
Ammonoidea.—
The Ammonoidea appear in Devonian times and die out in the Cretaceous. They were very abundant in Jurassic times, especially in Europe.
Belemnoidea.—
The Belemnoidea, ranging from the Trias to Eocene, comprise the extinctBelemnites, the interesting genusSpirulirostraof Miocene times, and the livingSpirula.
Sepioidea.—
The Sepioidea or true Cuttle-fishes (“pen-and-ink fish”) range from the Trias to the present day.
Octopoda.—
The Octopoda, withOctopusandArgonauta(the paper “Nautilus”) are present-day modifications. The male of the latter is without a shell, the female only being provided with a delicate boat-shaped shell secreted by the mantle and the two fin-like expansions of the dorsal arms.
Ordovician Cephalopods.—
The Ordovician cephalopods of Australasia are not numerous, and are, so far as known, practically restricted to the limestones of the Larapintine series at Laurie’s Creek and Tempe Downs, in Central South Australia. Amongst them may be mentionedEndoceras warburtoni(Fig. 105 A), (a straight form in which the siphuncle is partially filled with organic deposits);Orthoceras gossei;O. ibiciforme;Trochoceras reticostatum(a coiled form); andActinoceras tatei(a genus characterised by swollen siphuncular beads between the septa).