First Occurrence of Burmeisterella (Trilobita, Homalonotidae) from the Devonian of Brazil (Parecis Basin), with Description of a New Species

Abstract

A homalonotid trilobite from the Early Devonian (latest Lochkovian?- Pragian) of the Parecis Basin of Brazil is referred to the genus Burmeisterella, and represents the first occurrence of this genus in South America. A new species is described, Burmeisterella braziliensis n.sp. This form is associated with calmoniid trilobites (Metacryphaeus australis (Clarke, 1913) and Calmonia? triacantha Carvalho & Edgecombe, 1991) and other fossils characteristic of the Malvinokaffric assemblage, many of which also occur in the lower Ponta Grossa Formation (Pragian-Emsian) of the Paraná Basin. Apart from a possible occurrence of Burmeisterella in South Africa, the genus is otherwise known only from the Old World province (e.g. England, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and Algeria).