Coniacian (Upper Cretaceous) terebratulides (Brachiopoda) from Northern Spain

Abstract

The features and distribution of Coniacian terebratulides from the Northern Castilian Platform (Northern Spain) have been studied. Simultaneously, an exhaustive revision of European Upper Cretaceous brachiopod collections has been developed, allowing to define new species and to propose some lectotypes. Four species of the genus Nucleatina Katz, 1962, have been identified in the study area: N. arcana sp. nov., whose range is restricted to the basal and lower Coniacian (Forresteria petrocoriensis and Tissotioides haplophyllus zones), is characterized by its small size and “graphillate” ornamentation; N. anotia sp. nov. is ranged in the middle Coniacian (Gauthiericeras margae zone), differenced by its “capillate” ornamentation; N. cristobali (Middlemiss, 1978) appears in the upper middle and basal upper Coniacian (Gauthiericeras margae and Hemitissotia turzoi zones), being distinguished by the presence of two lateral expansions with auricular shape on both sides of the dorsal umbo; and N. barrosoi sp. nov., which appears in the upper Coniacian (Hemitissotia turzoi zone), is characterized by its larger size and fine striation. The genus Kafirnigania Katz, 1962, has been also identified, being the first record in Western Europe: K. massiliensis sp. nov., with smaller beak, is distinguished in the lower Coniacian (Tissotioides haplophyllus zone); and K. jorali sp. nov., with bigger beak and cardinal area, recorded in the middle Coniacian (Gauthiericeras margae zone). The species here described appear in Northern Spain, although N. anotia and N. cristobali are possibly present also in the Aquitaine Basin (Southwestern France), and K. massiliensis also appears in the Mouths of the Rhône, Southeastern France.