The first early Silurian brachiopod fauna from the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

A Lower Silurian (Llandovery) shelly fauna is described; the first from the Iberian Peninsula. It is dated as late Llandovery (early Telychian) byStricklandiaaff.laevisand is overlain by a late Telychian conodont fauna. The fauna is from the volcaniclastic El Castro Formation, Viodo Limestone Member, north of Viodo, Asturias, northern Spain. There are seven common and five rarer brachiopods, including the new taxaAsturorthis sarreoensisnew genus and species,Mendacella cantabricanew species,Katastrophomena truyolsinew species,Viodostrophia alcaldeinew genus and species,Stegerhynchus julivertinew species, andFenestrirostra?viodoensisnew species.