Molluscs

Fossils of clam, mussel, snail and scallop shells that are similar in appearance to molluscs you might find at the seashore today are commonly found in Tasmanian Permian rocks. Although at that time less numerous than their rivals, the Brachiopods, they were an important part of the Permian reef system. Molluscs flourished after the extinction at the end of the Permian period, out-surviving and out-competing Brachiopods to become the more common animal type.
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Permian aged fossil molluscs from Tasmania.  Left to right: clam shells (Eurydesma, MRT F26/1), gastropod (Keenia, MRT F324/1) and sketch of a fossil scallop (Ethripectin, Clarke 1992).  All scales in centimetres.