Early Cambrian Lingulellotreta (Lingulata, Brachiopoda) from South Kazakhstan (Malyi Karatau Range) and South China (Eastern Yunnan)

Abstract

“Lingulepis’ malongensis Rong from the upper part of the Lower Cambrian Chiungchussu Formation of Yunnan is referred to Lingulellotreta Koneva; L. malongensis (=Lingulellotreta ergalievi Koneva) is redescribed on the basis of new material from the Lower Cambrian of south Kazakhstan. It is the earliest known taxon of the Lingulellotretidae, which is unique within the Linguloidea in having an elongate pedicle foramen and internal pedicle tube. The occurrence of Lingulellotreta malongensis in south China is considered usually to be of Atdabanian age, but brachiopod based correlation with south Kazakhstan suggests that a possible Botomian or younger age, for both the upper part of Chiungchussu Formation in Yunnan and the lowermost part of Shabakty Group in the Malyi Karatau Range, is equally plausible.