Novispathodus expansus (Zhao & Orchard 2008)

Fig. 20U

2008 * Neospathodus expansus n. sp.; Zhao & Orchard in Zhao et al., p. 211, pl. 1, figs, 2a, 2b, 2c.

Submitted Novispathodus expansus (Zhao & Orchard); Leu et al., fig. 12Q.

Number of specimens. 5.

Remarks. Short robust denticles, a large basal cavity and a midlateral thickening are diagnostic for Nv. expansus . Some specimens of Nv. praebrevissimus n. sp. (Fig. 18O, P, T) feature a lateral, knob-like bulging on the flanks of the basal pit, but not a flange-like thickening along the mid-part of the carina as in Nv. expansus . Furthermore, in the latter the carina is lower than in Nv. praebrevissimus n. sp.

Occurrence. Columbites – Tirolites Zone, Nanlinghu Formation, Lower Triassic, Chaohu, Anhui Province, China (Zhao et al., 2008) Luolou Fm. Qiakong (this study); sample, JA15C, Jebel Aweri, Batain, early Spathian age, Oman (Leu et al., submitted).