Corallophilous micromorphic brachiopods from the Lower Jurassic of West Central Argentina

MANCEÑIDO, M.O.; DAMBORENEA, S.E.

Brachiopods through Time

Balkema

Lugar: Rotterdam; Año: 1991; p. 89 - 96

The discovery of the first thecideaceans in South America and what seems to be the earliest known platidiid worldwide is reported from Lower Jurassic deposits of Neuquén and Chubut provinces, Argentina. Thecideaceans include at least two species: Ancorellina ageri gen. et sp. nov. and Elliottina? sp. indet. found attached to non-calyciferous surfaces of scleractinian corals which support a diverse epizoan association. They are recorded in coincidence with the Pliensbachian-Toarcian peak in specific diversity of the superfamily. They already show preference for cryptically cementing onto anthozoan substrates in clear but dimly lit, warm waters of reefoid environments. The platidiid Scumulus? pictolithicus sp. nov. sheds new light on a stock with scanty fossil record.