Trilobites and agnostids from the Goyder Formation (Cambrian Series 3, Guzhangian; Mindyallan), Amadeus Basin, central Australia
Author
Smith, Patrick M.
Author
Paterson, John R.
Author
Brock, Glenn A.
text
Zootaxa
2018
2018-03-19
4396
1
1
67
journal article
30484
10.11646/zootaxa.4396.1.1
918f2145-a708-460e-b19b-4f67e6c99b30
1175-5326
1202723
8EEBE6DE-0ECC-4B9C-AD14-01438291782B
Nepeidae
gen. et sp. indet.
Fig. 26D–F
Material.
A single partial cranidium figured, CPC42400.
Description.
Largest cranidium
4 mm
long (sag.). Cranidium trapeziform, length:width ratio 70%, maximum width across posterolateral projections of fixigena; narrowest point of cranidium forward of the palpebral lobes (γ– γ), where it is about 64% of maximum cranidial width (tr.). Anterior margin strongly rounded; posterior margin incompletely preserved. Anterior branches of facial suture subparallel, then convergent to anterior margin; posterior branches strongly divergent, curved to distal end of posterolateral projection. Glabella narrow (tr.) and moderately convex, with maximum convexity at about midwidth, width:length ratio of 67%, occupying about 58% cranidial length; slightly tapering forward, width (tr.) across anterior 60% maximum width of glabella; anterior glabellar margin truncate. Axial furrow broad and indistinct. Bacculae poorly developed. Lateral glabellar furrows narrow (exsag.) and deep. S1 directed posteromedially; S2 shorter (tr.) than S1, only being a small indentation in the lateral glabellar surface; S3 poorly developed or absent. Occipital ring of moderate width; SO moderately wide (sag.), bowed slightly forward medially, shallow medially and deepening abaxially. Anterior border downsloping to anterior margin; length (sag.) 7% total cranidial length. Anterior border furrow shallow and poorly defined. Preglabellar field possesses an inflated preglabellar boss, triangular in outline, with the anterior border furrow bowed around its anterior margin, maximum width (tr.) of boss approximately equal to anterior glabellar width. Preocular field strongly convex and strongly downsloping adaxially towards preglabellar boss. Palpebral lobe small, less than 4% cranidial length (sag.), not clearly defined. Eye ridges faint, thin (exsag.), extending from the anterolateral corners of the axial furrow in a straight line towards the anterior tip of palpebral lobes. Palpebral area of fixigena flat to slightly convex, gently downsloping towards axial furrow. Postocular field flat anteriorly and downsloping near the posterior border furrow. Posterolateral projections of fixigena with a steep downturn at the lateral extremities, directed posterolaterally and widening (exsag.) posteriorly. Posterior border incompletely preserved. Posterior border furrow shallow, wide (exsag.), widening (exsag.) strongly near posterolateral extremities.
Prosopon incompletely known from exfoliated specimen.
Hypostome, rostral plate, librigena, thorax and pygidium unknown.
Discussion.
This single, poorly preserved cranidium was recovered from the lowest exposed horizon of the Goyder Formation in the GOY section (GOY
49.4 m
). A cranidium with a trapeziform outline, moderately tapered glabella with two pairs of lateral glabellar furrows, preglabellar boss with a triangular outline, and strongly downsloping posterolateral projections suggests an affinity with the nepeids. The presence of a triangular preglabellar boss would support placement in
Penarosa
Öpik, 1970. However, the Goyder Formation specimen has small palpebral lobes and lacks the S3 furrow, placing it outside the concept of the genus (Paterson 2005). The combination of small palpebral lobes and a faint anterior border in the Goyder Formation specimen also resembles the
holotype
of
Ascionepea janitrix
Öpik, 1967, which Paterson (2005) interpreted as a juvenile specimen (and thus junior synonym) of
Ferenepea hispida
Öpik, 1967. Given the paucity of material of this taxon, it is placed under open nomenclature.
Occurrence.
GOY section horizon
49.4 m
(
Fig. 3
).