Ypresian Decapod Crustacean faunas from the coral-algal environments in the Eastern Lessini Mountains (Vicenza and Verona territory − NE Italy): a comparative analysis

A comparative analysis of the Crustacean faunas found in Ypresian bioconstructions cropping out in the Eastern Lessini Mountains is carried out. The fossiliferous sites are: Contrada Gecchelina at Monte di Malo, San Pietro Mussolino, Vestenanova, and the Bolca area (Vicenza; Verona – NE Italy). The high value of the Shannon-Weaver biodiversity index calculated for these buildups confirms the hypothesis of the existence during the Early Eocene of a large lagoon characterized by shallow water and patch reefs. Juvenile specimens of Gecchelicarcinus lorigae and Alponella paleogenica are described.