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Post-mortem transport of freshwater mollusc shells in the northern Caspian Sea: A cautionary note on the implications for palaeoecological reconstructions

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International Journal of Salt Lake Research

Abstract

Fossils of stenohaline taxa are frequently used in palaeoecological and archaeological investigations to indicate the former position of deltas or the occurrence of freshwater conditions. However, the post-mortem transport of freshwater mollusc shells from deltaic and other areas can complicate interpretation of fossil assemblages. We present an example from the north Caspian Sea that shows that failure to consider these taphonomic processes can lead to erroneous conclusions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fisheries, Astrakhan Technical Institute of Fisheries, 16 Tatisheva St., 414025, Astrakhan, Russia

    Anatoly G. Tarasov & Sophia Z. Kazantseva

Authors
  1. Anatoly G. Tarasov
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  2. Sophia Z. Kazantseva
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Tarasov, A.G., Kazantseva, S.Z. Post-mortem transport of freshwater mollusc shells in the northern Caspian Sea: A cautionary note on the implications for palaeoecological reconstructions. International Journal of Salt Lake Research 3, 49–52 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01990641

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01990641

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