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Cardiocystella, a new cornute stylophoran from the Upper Cambrian Whipple Cave Formation, Eastern Nevada, USA
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 July 2015
Abstract
Two new well-preserved cornute stylophorans from the Upper Cambrian Whipple Cave Formation represent a new genus and species assigned here to Cardiocystella prolixora. These nearly complete specimens contain morphological information not available from other cornute specimens previously collected from this formation. Both specimens are preserved with superior faces exposed. One specimen contains a nearly complete theca but a somewhat disrupted aulacophore, whereas the other theca has been partially damaged by burrows but has a nearly complete but moderately eroded aulacophore. Cardiocystella prolixora exhibits wide marginals, abundant supracentral platelets, and an aulacophore with cover plates. Supracentral platelets cover much of the interior regions of the theca, which lacks a visible zygal bar in both specimens. In holotype 1791TX13, a bulge in the superior face of the theca likely shows the zygal bar position. The wide marginals of these new specimens resemble those of a specimen previously described from a partial theca and aulacophore assigned to Archaeocothurnus species indeterminate (Sumrall et al., 1997); however, the specimens described here are heart-shaped rather than boot-shaped. The placement of this specimen in a new genus and species is based on its unique marginal shape and arrangement.
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