Veneridae (Mollusca: Bivalvia) from the late Pleistocene Szekou Formation, Southern Taiwan

The Late Pleistocene deposits of Taiwan are known for their diverse fossil molluscan assemblages, yet much of the taxonomic work on this fauna remains outdated, in particular on the family Veneridae. In this study, we examine newly collected fossil venerids from the Szekou Formation, together with a re-evaluation of previous collections. Our revision resulted in several taxonomic updates, including the reassignment of previously reported taxa and the recognition of additional species not previously recorded from the formation. In total, 23 venerid taxa across 17 genera were documented, most of which correspond to species still present in modern Taiwanese waters. Changes in species diversity across stratigraphic levels correspond with previously proposed palaeoenvironmental stages of lagoonal development and increasing restriction of the basin. The strong overlap between fossil and modern species suggests ecological continuity in the subtropical West Pacific and supports interpretations of a warm-water palaeoenvironment during deposition of the Szekou Formation.