Mollusc Shell Encrustation and Bioerosion Rates in a Modern Epeiric Sea: Taphonomy Experiments in the Java Sea, Indonesia

Mollusc shells of several species were deployed on racks and on the seafloor for up to two years on eutrophic and mesotrophic reefs in the Java Sea, a modern epeiric sea. Taphonomic indicators of shell preservation decreased during the study, but some ligament, periostracum, and shell color persisted throughout. Shell fragmentation was negligible except for species with easily chipped margins; weight loss was less than 5 for sturdy shells and …