Post-collection taphonomy: Shell destruction and the chevrolet

The degree of shell fragmentation can be affected by post-collection ta-phonomic processes. Robust shells of the venerid bivalve Chione (Chionis-ta) fluctifraga suffered no damage during vehicle transport, while from 3 to 15% of the fragile shells of the mytilid bivalve Mytella guayanensis were broken. More breakage occurred in the Mytella sample stored in the bottom of the shipping box than occurred in the sample stored on the top. The use of fragmentation as a taphonomic indicator requires careful post-collection treatment of samples. This paper elucidates the obvious.