An unusual microbial-rostroconch assemblage from the Mulde Event (Homerian, middle Silurian) in Podolia, Western Ukraine

The Homerian (middle Silurian) Mulde Event is an extinction event affecting hemipelagic organisms associated with a positive stable carbon isotope excursion, and an increased proliferation of microbial deposits. The Event is recorded in the Bagovytsya section (Podolia, Ukraine), representing a carbonate ramp setting in the East European Craton, and recording the δ¹³C_carb excursion with values reaching +5.17%. The associated facies include oncolitic beds, mud-mounds and thrombolitic buildups dominated by cyanobacteria and microproblematica with proposed bacterial affinities. The associated faunal assemblage includes a high proportion of rostroconchs and abundant gastropods and trilobites. The co-occurrence of grazing organisms and microbial sediments suggests that the microbial preservation was not caused by decreased grazing rates.