Sains Malaysiana 44(2)(2015): 217–223

Posidonomya (Bivalvia) from Northwest Peninsular Malaysia and Its Significance

(Posidonomya (Bivalvia) dari Barat Laut Semenanjung

Malaysia dan Kesignifikannya)

BASIR JASIN*

Pusat Pengajian Sains Sekitaran dan Sumber Alam, Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor D.E. Malaysia

Received: 12 July 2013/Accepted: 13 August 2014

ABSTRACT

Posidonomya is common in the Kubang Pasu and Singa Formations in northwest Peninsular Malaysia. It was discovered from the red mudstone layers (redbeds) in many localities in Langkawi Islands, Perlis and Kedah. Previous studies suggested that the age of Posidonomya ranged from Middle Devonian to Carboniferous. Posidonomya beds in Kedah and Perlis are located above the Tournaisian radiolarian chert layers. The age of Posidonomya from Peninsular Malaysia is comparable to those of Europe, Morocco, Turkey and South China which range from Tournaisian to Serpukhovian, Early Carboniferous. The fossil specimens exhibit morphological features closely related to Posidonomya becheri Bronn. Two taxa were identified namely Posidonomya becheri Bronn and Posidonomya cf. kochi (von Koenen). The occurrence of Posidonomya indicates that the age of the lower part of the Kubang Pasu and Singa Formations is Early Carboniferous. Its geographic distribution formed a wide paleobiogeographic province in the Paleo-Tethys. The province was located in the warm tropical-subtropical climatic zone. Therefore, Posidonomya can be a good indicator for warm climate. Its wide distribution and short stratigraphic range make it a good index fossil for the Early Carboniferous.

Keywords: Early carboniferous; paleobiogeography; Posidonomya; redbeds; stratigraphy

ABSTRAK

Posidonomya banyak ditemui dalam Formasi Kubang Pasu dan Formasi Singa di baratlaut Semenanjung Malaysia. Ia dijumpai dalam lapisan batu lumpur merah di beberapa lokaliti di Kepulauan Langkawi, Perlis dan Kedah. Kajian terdahulu mencadangkan usia Posidonomya berjulat dari Devon Tengah hingga Karbon. Lapisan Posidonomya di Kedah dan Perlis terletak di atas lapisan rijang yang mengandungi radiolaria berusia Tournaisian. Usia Posidonomya dari Semenanjung Malaysia setara dengan yang terdapat di Eropah, Maghribi, Turki dan China Selatan yang berjulat dari Tournaisian hingga Serpukhovian, Karbon Awal. Spesimen fosil memperlihatkan fitur morfologi berkait rapat dengan Posidonomya becheriBronn. Dua takson dikenal pasti iaitu Posidonomya becheri Bronn danPosidonomya cf. kochi (von Koenen). Kewujudan Posidonomya menunjukkan bahagian bawah Formasi Kubang Pasu dan Formasi Singa berusia Karbon Awal. Sebaran geografinya membentuk satu wilayah peleobiogeografi yang luas dalam Palaeo-Tethys. Wilayah ini terletak dalam zon iklim panas tropika-subtropika. Oleh itu Posidonomya boleh dijadikan penunjuk iklim panas. Taburannya yang luas dan julat stratigrafi yang pendek menjadikannya fosil penunjuk yang baik untuk Karbon Awal.

Kata kunci: Karbon awal; lapisan merah; paleobiogeografi; Posidonomya; stratigrafi

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*Corresponding author; email: basirjasin@gmail.com