Taphonomy of Early Cretaceous freshwater bivalve concentrations from the Sihetun area, western Liaoning, NE China

The Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation at Sihetun, Beipiao, western Liaoning, northeastern China, is well-known for yielding diverse and excellently preserved fossils of the Jehol Biota. The lower unit of Yixian Formation, dominated by lacustrine deposits, is rich in concentrations of two freshwater bivalves: Sphaerium anderssoni and Arguniella ventricosa. These bivalve concentrations can be divided into three types that comprise either paucispecific A. ventricosa or S. anderssoni, or both bivalves in similar amounts. The lithological, biotic, and taphonomic features of 12 bivalve concentrations are recorded, and the taphonomic signatures (such as shell articulation, size-frequency distribution, and orientation) are analyzed. Autochthonous as opposed to allochthonous bivalve concentrations are discriminated. A very short time-averaging effect is recognized in some concentrations, which was probably caused by seasonal or episodic water-level fluctuations and hypoxia. Three factors operated on the bivalve concentrations before final burial: in-situ reworking, transport, and time-averaging. Although time-averaging of the death assemblages was limited to several years, it is in this way that several generations of the two bivalve species could become preserved together. Reworking of the bivalve concentrations was most likely caused by storm action.

► The lithological, biotic, and taphonomic features of 12 bivalve concentrations are recorded.
► The taphonomic signatures (such as shell articulation, size frequency distribution, orientation) are analyzed.
► Autochthonous versus allochthonous nature of the bivalve concentrations is discriminated.
► Very short time-averaging effect is recognized in some concentrations.
► Taphonomic and palaeoecological information is combined to construct a plausible model of their formation.