Philhedra, KOKEN, 1889

Mergl, Michal, 2012, Lingulate And Craniate Brachiopods From The Top Of The Králův Dvůr Formation (Latest Katian) And Their Contribution To Palaeogeography, Acta Musei Nationalis Pragae Series B 68 (1 - 2), pp. 35-46 : 42

Philhedra (?) sp.

Text-figs 2P, R

M a t e r i a l: One dorsal valve (PCZCU 1850).

D e s c r i p t i o n: The dorsal valve is subconical, 4 mm wide, thin-walled, subcircular with less rounded posterior margin, having a scalloped commissure. It bears irregular and uneven growth lamellae developed from finer concentric lines. The bases or circular structures, probably bases of hollow spines, are arranged in several weakly marked radial rays. The diameter of these structures rapidly increases toward the shell margin, but their size is almost uniform within the same growth band. Interior is almost smooth, with a pair of small, moderately elevated oval scars of anterior adductor and deep apical pit.

R e m a r k s: The circular structures are most likely the bases of short hollow spines or some knob-like outgrowths on the shell surface. Such structure is uknown in any other Ordovician craniide from Bohemia. It is somewhat similar to the radially aligned spines of the type species Philhedra baltica KOKEN, 1889 , but their diameter is larger than in the type species. The generic assignment is provisional .

O c c u r r e n c e: Rare at Praha –Řeporyje.