The occurrence of Anopaea (Bivalvia: Inoceramidae) in the Antarctic Peninsula

The genus Anopaea represents a small but distinctive group of inoceramid bivalves that apparently remained functionally endobyssate. The somewhat unusual morphology (for an inoceramid) probably results from structural modifications tofacilitate sediment penetration at a high angle and anchorage by an antero-ventral byssus. Although never as common as thecontemporary genera Retroceramus and Inoceramus, Anopaea is now known from temperate bivalve assemblages in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It persisted from the Late Jurassic (Tithonian) to the Early Cretaceous (Neocomian), and possibly even later.