Estudi taxonòmic, tafonòmic i paleoambiental de l’orictocenosi del pliocè superior de la malvasia (Sant Mori). Taxonomic, Taphonomic, and Paleoenvironmental Study of the Upper Pliocene Oryctocoenosis of “La Malvasia (Sant Mori)”

Abstract

The palaeontological characterisation of the La Malvasia quarry has revealed a fossil assemblage typical

of a shallow marine environment, associated with a rocky coastline exposed to moderate-to-high

hydrodynamic energy. The study focused primarily on bivalves and barnacles from the Upper Pliocene,

including Aequipecten seniensis, Neopycnodonte cochlear, Pecten jacobaeus, and specimens of the

genus Balanus, often found attached to pectinid valves in life position. The presence of these species

suggests warm, well-oxygenated, and relatively clean waters, characteristic of a Mediterranean inner

platform setting.

Taphonomic analysis shows evidence of bioerosion and an accumulation of transported remains

forming a lumachelle, confirming the influence of currents and wave action in an active coastal system.

In addition, the presence of ichnofossils provides complementary information on post-depositional

processes and biotic interactions. Together, these indicators support the interpretation of a dynamic

coastal palaeoenvironment, in accordance with the local stratigraphic succession, which spans from the

Cretaceous to the Quaternary and reflects sedimentary, tectonic, and climatic processes that have shaped

the current landscape.

Although the identified fossils do not represent new discoveries at a global scale, they constitute a

valuable record of the region’s geological and environmental history. Their documentation contributes

to the preservation of natural heritage and highlights the scientific and educational value of the site. In

this context, the potential reactivation of mining activity raises an ethical dilemma: economic

development must not come at the expense of preserving this legacy. This research underscores the

need for a balanced approach between science, conservation, and development, guided by a responsible

vision for future generations

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