The genusPlatythyris (Brachiopoda) and its relationship to the Pygopidae

Platythyris is included in the Pygopidae because of the resemblance of its internal structures to that family, despite the great difference in external form. The genus occurs in strata of Barremian to Senonian age in Europe north and west of the Alpine line and probably originated in the Caucasian-Crimean region. Three new species are described:P. vendeensis (Cenomanian),P. cristobali (Turonian) andP. viaudi (Senonian).Terebratula squamosa Mantell (Cenomanian) is assigned toPlatythyris and redescribed.Terebratula disparilis D’Orbigny (Cenomanian) is described as a subspeciesP. squamosa disparilis.