First record of a fossil chiton (Polyplacophora) from the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (Late Cretaceous)
Abstract
The first record of a chiton (Polyplacophora) from the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (Late Cretaceous) is described herein. It comes from the working quarry of Plaňany, located near the town Kolín.
Excavated deposits are of the late Cenomanian - early Turonian. The poorly preserved specimen consists of a tail valve remain and two intermediate valves, it is associated herein only with order level – i.e.
Lepidopleurida Thiele, 1910. The state of its preservation shows signs of corrosion of dorsal part caused probably by biologic digestion (in stomach) and/or, more probably, by long exposure at the sea bottom.
Stratigraphically, the layer yielding chiton shell is referred to be the late Cenomanian in age. The chiton living conditions are interpreted a very shallow water environment (not exceeding 20m) with irregular rocky basement possessing numerous caves and crevices.