178 Paleontology, Diversity, Extinction, Origination

Tuesday, 21 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 305

Proposed Revision and Early Radiation of Svalbardiinid Brachiopods

Paper number: 178-6
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:30 AM – 9:45 AM

Authors

  • Benjamin Neuman Presenting Author
    Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
  • Andrey Erofeevsky
    Institute of Geology, Syktyvkar, Komi Republic
  • Jessica Utrup
    Yale Peabody Museum, New Haven, CT
  • Elizabeth Weldon
    School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Deakin Marine Research and Innovation Centre, Deakin University, Burwood,, Victoria 3125
  • Merlynd Nestell
    Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Arlington, Arlington, TX

Abstract

The Svalbardiinae are a group of chonetoid brachiopods typified by Brachiosvalbardia (Ceccolini & Cianferoni), whose small size and smooth exterior have led to much taxonomic confusion.  In an effort to stabilize the Svalbardiinae, we have redescribed the type species of Brachiosvalbardia.  We propose to broaden Brachiosvalbardia to incorporate species formerly assigned to Komiella and Chonetes.  Developmental series of the interiors of both valves highlight the relative stability of some features of the dorsal interior, which are interpreted to have taxonomic implications.  The dorsal valve interior of Lissochonetes uralensis (Kalashnikov) was reconstructed in three dimensions, illustrating effects of static secondary shell features on water flow.  Features of Tornquistia? transversalis (Carter), are shown to be inconsistent with placement in the Anopliidae, but consistent with placement in the svalbardiinid crown group.  Reinterpretation of brachiopods from the Urals, Australia and Greenland supports the interpretation that the shallow Panthalassic Ocean in the region of present-day Texas was a significant site of early radiation and global dispersal of svalbardiinid brachiopods.  This revision is intended to provide a stable taxonomic basis for future studies of Svalbardiinae, and their ecology.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-413656

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