Evidence of mysid swarm behaviour (Crustacea: Malacostraca) from the Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous) of Hakel, Lebanon

Abstract

A mass mortality assemblage of mysid crustaceans is herein reported from the Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous) sublithographic limestone of Hakel (Lebanon). The studied specimens documented a mass mortality event attesting mysid swarm behaviour, herein briefly described and discussed. Though their poor preservation does not allow a specific assignment, this new record is remarkable, resulting the first formal report of Mysida Boas 1883 (Crustacea, Malacostraca) from the rich crustacean fossil fauna from the Late Cretaceous of Lebanon and from the worldwide Cretaceous record.

Keywords

• behaviour
• Eumalacostraca
• Mysida
• Mysidacea
• taxonomy