Plicatulid bivalves from the Coniacian–Santonian Matulla Formation, Wadi Sudr, western Sinai, Egypt

Abstract

The Coniacian–Santonian Matulla Formation, Wadi Sudr, Egypt contains an assemblage of the marine shallow-water bivalve Plicatula. A total of ten species of this genus are described of which four are new: Plicatula sinaiensis, P. sinnbishris, P. somarisensis and P. sudrensis. In addition, one further possible new species from the same strata is mentioned. All species are of Tethyan character and are true representatives of Plicatula and not of the closely related genus Harpax, which is associated with high-latitude and cool-water regions. Plicatulids characterize the shallower marine biofacies in the Coniacian of Wadi Sudr and reflect the principal shallowing events during the Late Cretaceous in the region.