First record of the genus Bronnothyris (Brachiopoda: Megathyrididae) from the Oligocene of the Mainz Basin (Germany)

Abstract

First record of the genusBronnothyris(Brachiopoda: Megathyrididae) from the Oligocene of the Mainz Basin (Germany)The genusBronnothyris, with the type speciesTerebratula bronniiRoemer, 1841, was erected for thoseArgyrothecaspecies that have septal flanges extended ventrally from the dorsal valve. Four other Late Cretaceous and one Early Paleocene species were attributed to this genus (i.e.Argyrotheca coniunctaSteinich, 1965,A. lacunosaSteinich, 1965,A. obstinataSteinich, 1965,A. stevensisNielsen, 1928 andA. rugicostaZelinskaya, 1975). After examination of Oligocene material from Waldböckelheim, Mainz Basin, Germany we transfer the speciesArgiope subradiataSandberger, 1862 into the genusBronnothyris. This new combination extends the stratigraphic range ofBronnothyrisinto the Oligocene.