Gems from a desert ocean

Cretaceous shellfish - filter feeders

A storm collection of shells from the Cretaceous sea floor, preserved in exquisite detail by opal. A shell bed consisting of cockles, with a few mussels and sand snails, washed together by storm waves.

Cyrenopsis australiensis, C. meeki, Eyrena tatei and Euspira sp. Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia. SAM P31847

A storm collection of shells from the Cretaceous sea floor, preserved in exquisite detail by opal. A shell bed consisting of cockles, with a few mussels and sand snails, washed together by storm waves.Cyrenopsis australiensis, C. meeki, Eyrena tatei and Euspira sp.Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia. SAM P31847

An opalised cockle shell. Replacement by clear silica has conserved the shape, growth-lines and ornament of the original shell. Cyrenopsis australiensis Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia. SAM P23835On loan, courtesy: J. & S. Provatidis; M. Snow.

Opalised fan shell. Maccoyella barklyi. Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia. SAM P36976. Other specimen on loan, courtesy: D. Price and T. Burk.

An opalised cockle shell. Replacement by clear silica has conserved the shape, growth-lines and ornament of the original shell.

Cyrenopsis australiensis
Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia. SAM P23835
On loan, courtesy: J. & S. Provatidis; M. Snow.

Opalised fan shell. Maccoyella barklyi.
Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia. SAM P36976.

Other specimen on loan, courtesy: D. Price and T. Burk.

Cretaceous Shellfish:

Opalised bivalve brooch shell. Trigoniidae
Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia SAM P18201.

Opalised, smooth-shelled sand snail. Euspira reflecta.
Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia. SAM P39665.

Opalised, ornamented sand snail. Euspira ornatissima.
Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia.
Specimens on loan, coutesy: J & S Provatidis; V. Simudvarac

Opalised mussel shells showing subtle differences in opalescence.Eyrena tatei. Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia. SAM P23836; other specimen on loan, courtesy: J. & S. Provitidis; M. Snow.

Opalised mussel shells showing subtle differences in opalescence.Eyrena tatei. Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia. SAM P23836; other specimen on loan, courtesy: J. & S. Provitidis; M. Snow.

Opalised mussel shells showing subtle differences in opalescence.Eyrena tatei. Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia. SAM P23836; other specimen on loan, courtesy: J. & S. Provitidis; M. Snow.

Opalised mussel shells showing subtle differences in opalescence.Eyrena tatei. Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia. SAM P23836; other specimen on loan, courtesy: J. & S. Provitidis; M. Snow.

Crinoids or 'sea lilies' are flower-like animals that lived attached to the seabed by a flexible column. They used their delicate, branching arms to filter food particles from the water. Crinoids, starfish and sea urchins are all echinoderms, meaning 'bony skin' animals.

Isocrinus parvus; Isocrinus australis. Early Cretaceous (Aptian), Bulldog Shale, Coober Pedy, South Australia. SAM P19184; SAM P39657.