300730 UE Aquatic Palae-Ecosystems (2008S)

Field work takes place in a fossil estuary. The area so far excavated is 300m2 , worldwide this will be the largest excavation within a fossil oyster-biostrome. The aim is not only the excavation but also the taphonomic and paeoecological analysis of this outstanding finding. Apart from the up to 80 cm large oysters, numerous other molluscan taxa, and sharks, rays and sirenians have been identified so far. The total fauna will provide a unique insight into the complex ecosystem of an estuary. Finally, the excavated and prepared biostrome will be the main attraction of a new museum, which will be associated to the "Fossilienwelt Weinviertel" and which will be inaugurated in April2009.