The Class Strophomenata (Brachiopoda) in Devonian deposits from the state of Paraná: a case study

Abstract

The Strophomenata are extinct and presumably confined to the Paleozoic Rhynchonelliformea brachiopods. The class comprises the orders Strophomenida, Productida, Orthotetida, and Billingsellida. Three of the four Orders have representatives in Brazilian Paleozoic sediments: Strophomenida (Superfamily Strophomenoidea), Orthotetida (Suborder Orthotetidina), and Productida (suborders Chonetidina and Productina). Therefore, a bibliographic survey and a taphonomic analysis were carried out. Strophomenids representing the orders Productida (Suborder Chonetidina) and Orthotetida (Suborder Orthotetidina) were formally recognized, both being present in the Ponta Grossa and São Domingos formations. Six different occurrences were identified, suggesting that strophomenids might be a potential bioindicator of bathymetric gradients.

Keywords

• rhynchonelliformea
• ponta grossa formation
• são domingos formation
• devonian
• taphonomy