New species of spiriferids (Brachiopoda) from the Devonian and Carboniferous of Eastern Europe

In a revision of previously published materials, two new spiriferid species from the Late Tournaisian, Unispirifer subtornacensis sp. nov. and Mesochorispira ussuilensis sp. nov., and Atylephorus nalivkini sp. nov. from the Lytva Horizon of the Upper Devonian of Bashkiria are described. Based on the original collection, a new Serpukhovian subspecies, Podtsheremia duplicicosta triplicicosta, from the southern Ural Mountains and a new Late Carboniferous species, Purdonella kalashnikovi, from the polar Ural Mountains and adjacent islands are established.     

New bryozoans (Bryozoa) from the Upper Devonian (Lower Famennian) of the Kuznetsk Basin

New bryozoans from the Upper Devonian (Famennian) of the borderlands of the Kuznetsk Coal Basin are described: Orthopora tomensis sp. nov. and Minussina incrustata sp. nov.     

Biostratigraphical value of some Strunian (Devonian, uppermost Famennian) Productidina, Rhynchonellida, Spiriferida, Spiriferinida brachiopods

The space of Devonian time considered in this paper corresponds to the uppermost part of the Famennian or the latest Famennian as a fourfold subdivision of the stage, usually called by many authors Strunian in neritic facies and Wocklumeria Stufe or Wocklumian in pelagic facies. Here, we examine the biostratigraphical value of certain brachiopod genera and species as bio-markers of the uppermost Famennian throughout the world (Europe, the former USSR, Middle East, Asia, North America, North Africa, and Australia). We have focused our study for species which stratigraphical range has been firmly established in correlation with the conodont biozones (Upper expansa, Early, Middle and Late praesulcata), the ammonoid biozones (do VI = “Wocklumeria Stufe”), or the foraminifera biozones (kobeitusana Zone). Other data for which the stratigraphical range is not based on standard biozonation are provided in the annex. The brachiopod bio-markers discussed in this paper belong to 14 Productidina genera (Acanthatia, Araksalosia, Ericiata, Hamlingella, Mesoplica, Nigerinoplica, Orbinaria, Ovatia, Rugauris, Semiproductus, Sentosia, Spinocarinifera, Steinhagella, Whidbornella), 7 Rhynchonellida genera (Araratella, Centrorhynchus, Hadyrhyncha, Megalopterorhynchus, Novaplatirostrum, Rozmanaria, Tchanakhtchirostrum), 13 Spiriferida genera (Brachythyris, Cyrtospirifer, Dichospirifer, Eochoristites, Imbrexia, Parallelora, Prospira, Rigauxia, Sphenospira, Tenisia, Toryniferella, Tylothyris, Voiseyella) and one Spiriferinida genus (Syringothyris). Other orders have not been studied in this paper. The main features of the uppermost Famennian brachiopod taxa represented in this paper are commented. All these taxa are listed as completely as possible throughout the world (with complements in the annex). A quick summary of the geographic distribution of the more represented taxa is given in conclusion.     

Spiriferide brachiopods from the Famennian (Late Devonian) Hongguleleng Formation of western Junggar,Xinjiang, northwestern China

Junggar is one of the most important areas in the study of the Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous in the Junggar-Hinggan Stratigraphic Region. Nevertheless, abundant benthic fossils await modern taxonomic studies. In this paper, six genera and eight species of Famennian spiriferide brachiopods are described from the Duguer Member and its equivalents of the Hongguleleng Formation in western Junggar, adding new data to the Rugaltarostrum Subassemblage of the “Palaeospirifer”–Megalopterorhynchus Brachiopod Assemblage of this area. Five previously recognized species within this subassemblage are revised, including: Cyrtospirifer junggarensis F.M. Zhang [now Ulbospirifer? junggarensis (F.M. Zhang)]; Tenticospirifer tenticulum transversus F.M. Zhang [now Cyrtospirifer transversus (F.M. Zhang)]; Tenticospirifer koketekensis F.M. Zhang [now Cyrtospirifer koketekensis (F.M. Zhang)]; Mucrospirifer quadratus F.M. Zhang (now “Mucrospirifer” quadratus F.M. Zhang); and Mucrospirifer bouchadi (Muir-Wood) (now Tylothyris cf. novamexicana Stainbrook). Three additional species, Cyrtiorina houi n. sp., Goungjunspirifer sinicus F.M. Zhang, and Cyrtospirifer procumbens Simorin in Litvinovich et al., are described. Ulbospirifer? junggarensis and Goungjunspirifer sinicus are characterized by a prismatic layer. Cyrtiorina houi shows a moderately high and triangular ventral interarea, with delthyrium covered by pseudodeltidium with a rounded foramen. Cyrtospirifer procumbens can be distinguished from other species of this genus by its shallow, clearly limited sulcus with prominent primary plications, and high ventral interarea. Cyrtospirifer transversus has an alate to subpentagonal outline. Cyrtospirifer koketekensis has rounded and distinct flank plications. The ventral delthyrium of “Mucrospirifer” quadratus is covered by a pseudodeltidium. Tylothyris cf. novamexicana develops an angular sulcus in cross-section. Comparisons with the coeval brachiopod faunas from various regions indicate that, biogeographically, western Junggar has a close relationship with the Tarbagatai Mountain Range, northeastern Kazakhstan, central Kazakhstan, and Karaganda Basin, and a certain affinity with North America.     

Brachiopods from the family Ambocoeliidae George (Order Spiriferida) from the Emsian (Lower Devonian) of northeastern Russia

Brachiopods from the family Ambocoeliidae George from the Emsian (Lower Devonian) of northeastern Russia are described: Bisinocoelia despecta sp. nov.; Yakutospirifer gen. nov. with the type species Y. krivensis sp. nov.; Micospirifer gen. nov. with the type species M. simplex sp. nov.; Kolymospirifer gen. nov. with the type species K. optatus sp. nov. (subfamily Ambocoeliinae); Datnospirifer gen. nov. with the type species D. alius sp. nov.; Khalimospirifer gen. nov. with the type species Kh. microscopicus sp. nov.; Gerospirifer gen. nov. with the type species G. normalis sp. nov., and G. gerensis sp. nov.; Dogdospirifer gen. nov. with the type species D. yolkini sp. nov. (subfamily Rhynchospiriferinae).     

Non-calcified macroalgae from the lower Famennian (Upper Devonian) of the Holy Cross Mountains,Poland

Non-calcified algal remains were collected from the lower Famennian deposits at the Kowala quarry in the Holy Cross Mountains, central Poland. Each specimen is represented solely by vegetative organs. On the basis of the material collected, a new algal genus and species has been formally erected. Vittella dixii nov. gen., nov. sp. (Order ?Bryopsidales) includes thalli consisting of long bundles of hair-like filament structures arranged in parallel fashion to the thallus length. Some other algal remains are regarded as Inocaulis-like forms. They possess long, flat blades with entire margins, and are ornamented with very dense, hair-like projections. The rest of the specimens found so far has been illustrated and tentatively classified as probably belonging to either Bryopsidales or Dasycladales algae. The exceptional preservation of the non-calcified algal thalli investigated suggests that special taphonomic conditions have prevailed during sedimentation of the lower part of the Famennian Kowala section. These may have involved rather rapid burial in oxygen-restricted (dysoxic and anoxic) sea-bottom environment, inhibiting the activities of scavengers and bioturbators, as well as oxidative degradation. The preservation of the algae, together with sedimentological and geochemical characteristics of the host rocks indicate that they rather represent parautochthonous assemblage, buried close to their natural habitat.     

New bryozoans from the Devonian of Afghanistan and the Carboniferous of Iran

A new family, Vidronovellidae, with a new genus, Vidronovella, and its type species V. fastigata sp. nov., and a new species, Europora gerirudensis, are described from the Famennian of Afghanistan, and the new species Primorella iranica, Heloclema magnificum, and Worthenopora elbursensis are described from the Viséan of Iran.     

西欧晚泥盆世法门期早期石燕贝类腕足动物

比利时新基尔里斯(Senzeilles)地区是西欧晚泥盆世地层研究的一个经典地区,也是法门期石燕贝类腕足动物的重要比产区。然而针对本区弓石燕类的现代研究却较为匮乏,此外,早期的分类工作已难以满足现代专题性的课题资料要求（即层位清楚、鉴定准确的系统分类工作）,因此对比利时地区法门期的“弓石燕属”足动物进行系统古生物学研究及对比具有重要意义。当前研究在华南现有成果的基础上,通过对壳面特征(贝体大小、基面特征、微细纹饰特征、中槽壳褶发生方式)及内部构造(齿板特征、内窗板特征等)的系统研究及对比,拓展了Plicapustula属的定义,即:褶上和褶间均发育微瘤纹饰。欧洲的Plicapustula属分子褶间均发育放射状细瘤微细纹饰,而华南的该属分子褶间均缺失微瘤纹饰。由于该特征存在明显的地域性,因此当前研究以此为依据建立了Paraplicapustula亚属,并将欧洲的标本归入该亚属。此外,本文还首次识别并描述了欧洲的Sinospirifer属。大部分西欧Sinospirifer属和Plicapustula属与华南地区相比,在种级组成上存在明显的差异,包括标本大小、齿板是否增厚、壳褶数目及分枝情...     

New Famennian bryozoans (Upper Devonian) from Azerbaijan and Armenia

New bryozoans are described from the Famennian of Southern Transcaucasia: Petalotrypa myunkhbalaensis sp. nov. and Eridotrypella danzikensis sp. nov. (order Trepostomata) and Rectifenestella kadrluiensis sp. nov. and R. famenniensis sp. nov. (order Fenestrata). The paleobiogeographic relations that existed between Nakhichevan (Azerbaijan) and Armenia and other regions of Eurasia and the United States at the end of the Devonian are investigated.     

Phyllocarid remains (Malacostraca, Crustacea) from the basal Famennian (Late Devonian) of the Montagne Noire (Southern France)

From the early Famennian of the Montagne Noire 19 different morphotypes of probably phyllocarid (Crustacea) affinities are described. Apart from formerly unknown enamel-like structures that veil the uppermost tips of the denticles on most of the gnathal lobe morphs, the stratigraphic implications concerning extinction behaviour across the Kellwasser mass extinction event and during early Famennian diversification are discussed. In addition, phyllocarids in the Famennian seem to form a useful stratigraphic tool for biostratigraphical correlation. Therefore, three basal Famennian phyllocarid assemblage zones are distinguished.      

New Lower Devonian brachiopods of the family Reticulariidae Waagen (order Spiriferida) of northeastern Russia

New Lower Devonian brachiopod taxa of the family Reticulariidae (order Spiriferida) are described from northeastern Russia: Havlicekospirifer gen. nov. with the type species H. mirabilis sp. nov. (subfamily Reticulariinae) and Pavlovispirifer gen. nov. with the type species P. pelagicus sp. nov. (subfamily Rhenothyridinae).     

New Conodont Species from the Famennian (Upper Devonian) of the Urals

New conodont species of the genus Polygnathus from the Upper Famennian of the Urals and Cis-Urals are described. Po. tsygankoi sp. nov. is distributed from the expansa‑praesulcata conodont zones. This species occupies an intermediate position in the phylogenetic lineage Polygnathus atasuensis–Po. tsygankoi sp. nov.–Po. lobatus sensu Kononova. Po. serriformis sp. nov. is known from the praesulcata Zone. Evolutionary relationships of Po. serriformis sp. nov. are unknown.     

Revision Of Late Devonian (Famennian) And Some Early Carboniferous (Tournaisian) Crinoids And Blastoids From The Type Devonian Area Of North Devon

The crinoids and blastoids from the Pilton (Beds) Formation of the type Devonian of north Devonshire are revised. These fossils were monographed by the Rev. G. F. Whidborne in 1898, but have not been studied since that time. Recent studies on various groups of fossils from the Pilton and related rocks in North Devon confirm that the great majority of these fossils are Famennian, although three specimens from Fremington are probably Early Carboniferous (Tournaisian). We identify four blastoid taxa from a fauna that is sparse and poorly preserved; two spiraculates, one fissiculate, and one taxon unidentifiable at the ordinal level. Mesoblastus cf. M. crenulatus from the Gattendorfia Zone (Lower Carboniferous) near Fremington is the oldest known representative of this genus. The crinoid fauna is somewhat more diverse, but the preservation is equally poor. No changes are made in the flexible crinoids. Among camerate crinoids, one species is reassigned to Eumorphocrinus and one is retained in Actinocrinites. Specimens of some crinoids, such as Rhodocrinites and Megistocrinus, are so poorly preserved that certain identification was not possible. The hexacrinoid Adelocrinus, relegated to uncertainty for 150 years, is here shown to be a valid genus that is very similar to Arthroacantha, but not synonymous with it. Among the cladid crinoids, the dominant groups are those within the Superfamily Scytalocrinacea, which includes Bridgerocrinus, Sostronocrinus, and Scytalocrinus, all of which are placed in the new family Sostronocrinidae. One new species, Glossocrinus whidbornei, is named. Non‐pinnulate cladids, common in older Devonian rocks, do not occur. The fauna shows considerable similarity with faunas from eastern North America and Germany. It shows less resemblance to the extensive Famennian crinoid and blastoid fauna of north‐western China, despite some remarkable congruencies, especially the occurrence of very similar species of Actinocrinites in these widely separated areas.     

New species of Antognathus (Conodonts) from the Famennian deposits of southern Kazakhstan

A new conodont species, Antognathus vjatsheslavi sp. nov., is described from the Famennian shallow-water carbonate deposits of the Bolshoi (Greater) Karatau Range in southern Kazakhstan.     

黔南独山地区泥盆系法门阶–石炭系杜内阶革老河组和汤粑沟组长身贝类新认知

本文描述了在黔南独山县其林寨剖面和黎家寨剖面上泥盆统革老河组和下石炭统汤粑沟组中发现的长身贝类化石共8属10种(含未定种)。其中,在革老河组中发现有3属4种:Productella? sp.、Yanguania dushanensis、Xinshaoproductusxinshaoensis和X.quadrata;汤粑沟组中有8属9种:Productella?sp.、Hunanoproductushunanensis、Spinocarinifera qilinzhaiensis sp. nov.、Yanguania dushanensis、Y.? sp.、Xinshaoproductus xinshaoensis、Tomiproductussp.、Ozora?sp.和Ericiatiakiangsuensis。总体而言,革老河组和汤粑沟组中的长身贝类在组成上主要以Productoidea超科中Productidae科的分子为主,Productellidae科和Echinoconchoidea超科中Sentosiidae科的分子各有1种。本文记述的Hunanoproductus和Xins...     

The oldest notostracan (Upper Devonian Strud locality,Belgium)

A new notostracan crustacean, Strudops goldenbergi gen. et sp. nov., is described from the well‐preserved terrestrial arthropod fauna of the Upper Devonian of Strud, Belgium. The fossil notostracan bears a close resemblance to modern notostracans in possessing a large, simple head shield covering almost half of the whole body, a set of phyllopodous thoracic appendages and a legless posterior abdomen with a telson bearing a caudal furca. The differentiation and relative size of mouthparts and limbs suggest that these specimens are all adults. The notostracans described herein are the earliest clear members of the total group Notostraca.     

Rodents and Insectivores from the Upper Miocene of Molayan, Afghanistan

Although Molayan is the richest fossil mammal locality in Afghanistan, only a few species have been studied. This paper describes three rodents (Hystrix aryanensis sp. nov., Parapeolomys sp. and Pseudomeriones latidens sp. nov.) and one insectivore (Erinaceus sp.). Lithostratigraphical correlations and biostratigraphical studies in the Khurdkabul Basin provide evidence that the Molayan locality is younger than three other localities in this basin: Sherullah, Taghar and Ghazgay. In addition, the taxa described here, along with several species of large mammals from Molayan, permit correlations with the Siwalik succession in Pakistan to the east, and with European Neogene mammal ages to the west. The age of the Molayan fauna is concluded to be mid Turolian. Observations on the mammal faunas from the Khurdkabul Basin suggest that the altitude of the area, at present over 2000 m, was much lower during the late Miocene. Uplift of the basin probably occurred no earlier than the ?late Pliocene.