Brachiopods of the Early CarboniferousSchellwienella burlingtonensisZone in eastern Australia

Abstract

Brachiopods of the Early Carboniferous Schellwienella burlingtonensis Zone in New South Wales are systematically described. The zone contains at least 39 species referred to 30 genera and 24 families. One genus and seven species are newly established, including Schuchertella oversbyi sp. nov., Angustispatulata campbelli gen. et sp. nov., Plectospira simplex sp. nov., Prospira maxwelli sp. nov., Crassumbo gresfordensis sp. nov., Actinoconchus rouchelensis sp. nov. and Hamburgia? hillae sp. nov. The threefold subdivision of the zone is confirmed. The Swains Gully Section in the Werrie Syncline is reinstated as the reference for the Spirifer sol and base of the Schellwienella burlingtonensis Zones. Section 39 in the Rouchel Block is selected as a reference section for the middle part of the S. burlingtonensis Zone. The upper part of the zone is best represented by the Mt Richardson Section in the Gresford Block and Section 30 in the Rouchel Block. The lower part of the zone is characterised by the first appe...