Morphological disparity and systematic revision of the eocrinoid genusRhopalocystis(Echinodermata, Blastozoa) from the Lower Ordovician of the central Anti-Atlas (Morocco)

Abstract

AbstractThe genusRhopalocystis(Eocrinoidea, Blastozoa) is characterized by both a short stratigraphic range (Fezouata Shale, middle Tremadocian to middle Floian, Lower Ordovician) and a reduced geographic extension (Agdz-Zagora area, central Anti-Atlas, Morocco). Since the original description of its type species (R. destombesiUbaghs, 1963), three successive revisions of the genusRhopalocystishave led to the erection of nine additional species. The morphological disparity within this genus is here critically reassessed on the basis of both historical material and new recently collected samples. The detailed examination of all specimens, coupled with morphometric and cladistic analyses, points toward a relatively strong support for five morphotypes. A systematic revision ofRhopalocystisis thus suggested, with only five valid taxa:R. destombesi, R. fragaChauvel, 1971, R. grandisChauvel, 1971, R. havlicekiChauvel, 1978, andR. zagoraensisChauvel, 1971. The five others are considered as junior synonyms (R. dehirensisChauvel and Régnault, 1986,R. lehmaniChauvel and Régnault, 1986,R. sp. A,R. sp. B, andR. sp. C).