Soluteids

Soluteids are a group of extinct marine organisms belonging to the phylum Mollusca, specifically within the class Bivalvia. They are characterized by their exceptionally large and often spirally coiled shells, which are a distinctive feature that sets them apart from most other bivalves. These shells could reach considerable sizes, with some specimens measuring over a meter in length. Soluteids were filter feeders, using their large shells to house a significant portion of their body, which allowed them to efficiently process large volumes of water.

The fossil record of soluteids is primarily found in rocks dating from the Devonian to the Permian periods, meaning they were most prevalent during the Paleozoic Era. Their ecological niche is thought to have been on the seabed, where their large, heavy shells provided stability against currents and predators. The exact evolutionary relationships of soluteids are still a subject of debate among paleontologists, with some proposing a close link to modern scallops or oysters, while others suggest a more ancient divergence within the bivalve lineage. Their extinction, which occurred around the end of the Permian period, is part of the larger Permian-Triassic extinction event, the most severe extinction event in Earth's history. The distinctive morphology and limited temporal range of soluteids make them important index fossils for dating Paleozoic sedimentary rocks.