The last representatives of the Superfamily Wellerelloidea (Brachiopoda, Rhynchonellida) in the westernmost Tethys (Iberian paleomargins) prior to their demise in the early Toarcian Mass Extinction Event

Abstract

The last clade-level extinction episode affecting the Phylum Brachiopoda has been long-established in the Early Toarcian Mass Extinction Event (ETMEE) around the Pliensbachian-Toarcian transition, when several rhynchonellide groups became extinct and others underwent a notable renewal in the western Tethys. Among them, Wellerelloidea is a long-ranging superfamily severely affected by this environmental crisis, embodying the subfamily Cirpinae as the last wellerelloids worldwide, prior to their global extinction in the Pb-To transition. The profuse record of Lower Jurassic cirpines in the peri-Iberian paleomargins provides an opportunity to clarify the taxonomy of wellerelloid species in the pre-extinction interval. A new species (Cirpa lucentina) is erected and the revision of the Cirpinae taxa around the ETMEE is carried out. Morphometric analysis and the study of internal structures of the shells support separation of the genera Cirpa and Salgirella, adding new supplementary diagnostic criteria. The biogeographic distribution of this clade in the western Tethys and its evolutionary history in the Early Jurassic reveal a pervasive colonization pattern of both epicontinental and epioceanic habitats. The Mediterranean origin of the last representatives of this group is ascertained, but while diversification of Salgirella took place in epioceanic habitats, speciation of Cirpa is unrelated to biochorema boundaries, even colonizing epicontinental seas until their extinction prior to the hyperwarming event that occurred in the basal Serpentinum Zone. A rhynchonellide morphogroup epitomized by cirpines was resilient to this event in the epicontinental seas. This morphogroup is also recorded after the extinction interval by means of the genus Pseudogibbirhynchia, thus postulating potential pre- and post-extinction phyletic relationships.

UUID: http://zoobank.org/100b06c0-a803-4f6f-b0fa-2d9e2d6678d2

Introduction

Brachiopods, as important constituents of the benthic marine ecosystems, represent a useful tool to shed light on the environmental and ecological shifts across the Phanerozoic. Actually, numerous marine biotic crises and mass extinction events recurrently affected the phylum Brachiopoda, generating loss of biodiversity and affecting the evolutionary trajectories of different brachiopod clades (Gould and Calloway, 1980; Chen et al., 2005; Curry and Brunton, 2007; García Joral et al., 2011; Harper et al., 2014; Carlson, 2016; Finnegan et al., 2016, 2017; Vörös et al., 2016, 2019; Baeza-Carratalá and García Joral, 2020). Of these clades, the Order Rhynchonellida was affected by all the classical great extinction and diversification events, but it is still extant in the present-day marine ecosystems, becoming an effective tool for understanding the evolution and ecology of these ecosystems over time.

In addition to the long-established “Big Five” mass extinction events, Vörös et al. (2019) defined several episodes of synchronous extinction of diverse brachiopod orders as clade extinctions, including, in the Early Jurassic, the Early Toarcian Mass Extinction Event (ETMEE) as the last clade extinction of brachiopods at an ordinal level. The ETMEE, which was one of the most significant environmental perturbations of the Mesozoic, represented a severe extinction for the brachiopod fauna (García Joral and Goy, 2000, 2009; Vörös, 2002; Comas-Rengifo et al., 2006; García Joral et al., 2011, 2018; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2015, 2016a, 2017; Vörös et al., 2016, 2019; Baeza-Carratalá and García Joral, 2020). Fluctuation in brachiopod diversity dynamics can be detected early in the latest Spinatum (Pliensbachian) and in the Tenuicostatum (Toarcian) chronozones in the western Tethys, within the so-called “Extinction Interval” (ca. 182.0–184.0 Ma), culminating in a severe loss of diversity in the “Extinction boundary” (ca. 182.0–182.6 Ma) dated in the earliest Serpentinum Chronozone (e.g., García Joral et al., 2011; Caruthers et al., 2013; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2015, 2017; Danise et al., 2019; Krencker et al., 2020; among many others).

Several adaptive strategies within the brachiopod fauna were suggested around this ecological crisis (García Joral et al., 2011, 2018; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2015, 2017, 2018a; Vörös et al., 2016; Piazza et al., 2019, 2020; Ullmann et al., 2020). In this sense, rhynchonellides underwent a notable renewal. Consequently, before analyzing the ecological effects and/or evolutionary implications activated around ETMEE, it is essential to clarify the taxonomy of rhynchonellide species in the pre- and post-extinction intervals.

As previous authors conveyed (e.g., Tomašových, 2006), the taxonomy of Lower Jurassic multicostate rhynchonellides is far from being totally resolved. The basal stock of Jurassic ribbed rhynchonellides underwent an immediate diversification after the end-Triassic crisis in the intra-Tethyan and NW-European platforms, as early as in the Hettangian–early Sinemurian (Rossi-Ronchetti and Brena, 1953; Gaetani, 1970; Alméras and Hanzo, 1991; Dulai, 1993, 2001, 2003; Böhm et al., 1999; Siblík, 1999; Tomašových, 2006, Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2018b). Several representative taxa that underwent this diversification are included in the Superfamily Wellerelloidea.

Superfamily Wellerelloidea Licharew, 1956, is a long-range superfamily from the lower Carboniferous to the Lower Jurassic (Ager et al., 1972; Manceñido, 2000; Manceñido and Owen, 2001; Savage et al., 2002), with ~54 genera arranged in six families and 10 subfamilies. Among them, Subfamily Cirpinae Ager, 1965, is a lineage of multicostate Wellerellidae mainly extending through the Upper Triassic to the lower Toarcian. Subfamily Cirpinae encompasses the last representatives of Wellerelloidea in the Pliensbachian-Toarcian transition in coincidence with a timespan where crucial ecological perturbations occurred, ending up in the ETMEE.

In the peri-Iberian platforms system, the abundant record of Cirpinae in the Early Jurassic is represented by the genera Calcirhynchia, Cirpa, and Salgirella (e.g., Pérez-López et al., 1993; Alméras and Fauré, 2000; Comas-Rengifo and Goy, 2010; Comas Rengifo et al., 2013, 2015; Baeza-Carratalá, 2013). The genus Calcirhynchia seems to be restricted to the Sinemurian–lowermost Pliensbachian deposits (Pérez-López et al., 1993; Baeza-Carratalá, 2013; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2014, 2018b), while the prolific occurrence of Cirpa and Salgirella throughout the entire Early Jurassic was suddenly terminated by the onset of the ETMEE, even by the Pliensbachian-Toarcian transition. The present paper clarifies the complex systematics of the Lower Jurassic rhynchonellides, unravelling the record of the last representatives of the Superfamily Wellerelloidea worldwide. The Pliensbachian–Toarcian wellerelloids are accurately appraised, formally described, and discussed in light of new records from the Betics and Lusitanian basins. The conspicuous record of Cirpinae in these areas enables us to suggest diagnostic criteria to discriminate taxa morphometrically.

Finally, revision of the biogeographic distribution of this rhynchonellide clade in the western Tethys and its evolutionary history in the Early Jurassic has been undertaken, bearing in mind their conceivable demise in relation to the ETMEE.

Geological setting

In paleogeographical terms, the Jurassic peri-Iberian platforms system constituted, together with the North African margins, the westernmost coastline of the Tethys Ocean. In the Early Jurassic, the proto-Atlantic seaway connected this part of the Tethys with Panthalassa via the Hispanic Corridor (e.g., Manceñido, 1990, 2002; Manceñido and Dagys, 1992; Damborenea, 2000; Aberhan, 2001; Sha, 2002; García Joral et al., 2011). Pliensbachian–Lower Toarcian wellerelloids have been reported around the Iberian Plate in the Asturian Basin (Comas-Rengifo and Goy, 2010), the Betic Ranges (e.g., Baeza-Carratalá, 2011, 2013), and the Lusitanian Basin (Comas-Rengifo et al., 2013, 2015). Their occurrence in the northernmost area of the Iberian Range (Rodrigo, 2011) is questionable, as later discussed. A concise description of the depositional framework follows, describing the living environment of this group.

External Subbetic Domain

In the easternmost Betic Range (Alicante and Murcia provinces, East Spain), representatives of Cirpa and Salgirella are recorded in Pliensbachian–lowermost Toarcian sediments from the epioceanic External Subbetic area (Baeza-Carratalá, 2013), which is characterized by pelagic seamount facies. Most of the taxa are recorded in the upper member of the Gavilán Formation (late Pliensbachian), which consists of red crinoidal grainstone beds with abundant glauconite, peloids, and intraclasts, with occasional calcarenite levels interspersed. Only the record of Cirpa briseis reaches up to the marly levels of the Zegrí Formation (uppermost Pliensbachian–lowermost Toarcian) (Fig. 1), which consists of thin beds of alternating yellowish and greenish marls and marly mudstone with sporadic calcarenites and yellowish sandy marlstone beds.

Figure 1. (1) Locations of the studied Pliensbachian–Lower Toarcian outcrops in the peri-Iberian platforms system, with wellerelloids among the constituents of the brachiopod assemblages. (2, 3) Synthetic Lower Jurassic stratigraphical sections showing the distribution of Wellerelloidea species in (2) the Betic Ranges and (3) the Lusitanian basin. Mir. = Mirabile Subzone; Spin. = Spinatum Zone.

Transitional External Betic Zones

Pliensbachian wellerelloids were also documented in the transitional areas of the Prebetic–Subbetic domains (La Mola region, Alicante, East Spain; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2016b). This region is considered a linking area between shallow epicontinental platforms that prevailed in the Prebetic on the North and the Subbetic Domain characterized by pelagic seamount facies southwards. In this area, red crinoidal grainstone sediments, comparable to those of the External Subbetic area, characterize the upper Pliensbachian deposits (Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2016b).

Internal Subbetic Domain

This area is located in Sierra Gorda (Granada Province, South Spain). The wellerelloid-bearing deposits are represented by the intermediate and upper members of the Gavilán Formation (Sinemurian–earliest Pliensbachian in age). The intermediate member consists of a thick carbonate succession (Sandoval, 1983; García-Hernández et al., 1986) characterized by micritic peloidal mudstone/packstone levels, sometimes with oolitic/oncolitic grainstone to packstone beds and algal wackestones containing large foraminifera, sponges, bivalves, gastropods, and echinoderms. The depositional setting was interpreted as shallow neritic platforms with occasional protected areas involving low- to middle-energy environments (Olóriz et al., 2002; Ruiz-Ortiz et al., 2004). Overlying these sediments, exposures of the upper member of Gavilán Formation, which are represented by crinoidal grainstone/packstone carbonates with crinoids, brachiopods, and bivalves, are interpreted as high-energy deposits in external-platform, tidal to intertidal areas, that accumulated during progressive drowning of the Early Jurassic platforms (Olóriz et al., 2002).

Lusitanian Basin

Portuguese Cirpa are found mainly in Toarcian sediments from the Rabaçal-Condeixa region and the Peniche area (Lusitanian Basin). They are recorded in Rabaçal in the basal deposits of the São Gião Formation (Comas-Rengifo et al., 2013; Piazza et al., 2019) as whitish gray marly beds (Fig. 1). In Peniche, Cirpa occurs in the lower member of the Cabo Carvoeiro Formation (Alméras, 1996; Comas-Rengifo et al., 2015), which consists of predominantly bioturbated and ferruginous gray marls with a few intercalations of cm-thick marly limestones. Both formations correspond to a low-energy, distal homoclinal ramp, deeper to the west/northwest, typified by hemipelagic sequences and facies rich in organic matter, where an alternation of marlstone and argillaceous limestone beds prevailed (Duarte, 2007).

Asturian Basin

The only wellerelloid documented in the Asturian Basin is the pervasive Cirpa briseis (Comas-Rengifo and Goy, 2010) in deposits of the Rodiles Formation (Pliensbachian, Davoei–Margaritatus chronozones). The Rodiles Formation consists of a rhythmically alternating succession of marls and micritic and marly limestone beds, typifying a depositional environment consisting in an open sea carbonate ramp (Valenzuela et al., 1986). Cirpa briseis probably reached this basin in the transgressive maximum that occurred in the early-late Pliensbachian transition (Comas-Rengifo and Goy, 2010).

Materials and methods

We included 570 wellerelloids in the analysis: 363 specimens were collected and studied bed-by-bed in Lower Jurassic deposits from several localities in the Betic Ranges (Fig. 1.1), which are summarized in a synthetic stratigraphical section (Fig. 1.2). They are deposited at the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Alicante (DCTMA). In addition, 45 specimens deposited at the Department of Geodynamics, Stratigraphy and Paleontology (Universidad Complutense de Madrid; DPUCM) were collected from the Pliensbachian-Toarcian transition (Fig. 1.3) in Fonte Coberta and Peniche (Lusitanian Basin). Taxonomic identifications were complemented by material (160 specimens) in the Jiménez de Cisneros historical collection (JdC collection hereafter) held at the Paleontological Museum of Murcia (Spain), after a critical systematic revision (Baeza-Carratalá, 2008), and two specimens from the Peiró collection deposited at the Paleontological Museum of Elche (MUPE; Alicante, Spain).

The ammonoid chronostratigraphical zonal scheme is based on the standard zones proposed by Cariou and Hantzpergue (1997), Dommergues et al. (1997), Elmi et al. (1997), and Page (2003) for the Tethys Realm.

For the morphometric analysis, the main biometric parameters were measured directly on the specimens using calipers. Additional representative external biometric attributes were selected and quantitatively computed (Fig. 2 and supplementary material). The 96 specimens on which all of the 10 external biometric parameters could be measured were then used for the analysis (Fig. 2 and supplementary material). Subsequently, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and discriminant Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) were conducted as exploratory methods for variable reduction (Hammer and Harper, 2006). These analyses were carried out by means of the PAST 3.22 software package (Hammer et al., 2001) using a correlation matrix for the PCA because continuous as well as discrete variables were included.

Figure 2. Main biometric parameters measured in the morphological analysis. L = length; W = width; T = thickness; hf = height of dorsal median fold; wb = basal width of dorsal median fold; wt = upper width of dorsal median fold; dpl = maximum width of the intercostal area flanking the fold; dr = tangential distance between ribs marking smooth intercostal area alongside the fold. Not shown on Figure 2: R = total number of ribs; Rf = number of ribs on the fold.

Internal structure and microstructural analyses of the shell were conducted using the conventional method of preparing oriented transverse serial sections and taking acetate peels. The distance between serial sections was 0.1 mm. High resolution photomicrographs of acetate peels were taken under an optical microscope (Nikon CFI60 E600POL). The obtained peels are deposited at DCTMA (Alicante) and DPUCM (Madrid).

Whenever possible, specimens were coated with magnesium oxide prior to photographing. Biogeographical distribution analysis was performed and plotted on a base paleomap (slightly modified after Bassoullet et al., 1993).

Repositories and institutional abbreviations

Collections of the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Alicante, Spain (DCTMA); Paleontological Collections at Department of Geodynamics, Stratigraphy and Paleontology of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain (DPUCM); Jiménez de Cisneros historical collection (JdC) deposited at the Paleontological Museum of Murcia (Murcia, Spain); Peiró collection held at Paleontological Museum of Elche (Alicante, Spain) MUPE.

Systematic paleontology

Phylum Brachiopoda Duméril, 1805
Subphylum Rhynchonelliformea Williams et al., 1996
Class Rhynchonellata Williams et al., 1996
Order Rhynchonellida Kuhn, 1949
Superfamily Wellerelloidea Licharew, 1956
Family Wellerellidae Licharew, 1956
Subfamily Cirpinae Ager, 1965
Genus Cirpa De Gregorio, 1930

Type species

Rhynchonella (Cirpa) primitiva De Gregorio, 1930

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro, 1874)
Figure 3.15–3.28

1874

Rhynchonella briseis Gemmellaro, p. 97, pl. 11, figs. 19–22.

1884

Rhynchonella briseis Gemmellaro; Haas, p. 4. pl. 1, figs. 3–5 (non fig. 6).

1884

Rhynchonella briseis Gemmellaro; Parona, p. 244, pl. 3, fig. 1 (part; ? pl. 2, figs. 10–20; ? pl. 3, fig 2).

1889

Rhynchonella variabilis Schlotheim; Geyer, p. 36, pl. 4, figs. 19–21.

1891

Rhynchonella briseis Gemmellaro; Di Stefano, p. 208, pl. 3, figs. 9–13 (part; not var. iphimedia, pl. 3, figs. 14–17).

1892

Rhynchonella briseis Gemmellaro; Parona, p. 29, pl. 2, fig. 1 (part; not pl. 2, figs. 2–7).

1897

Rhynchonella briseis Gemmellaro; Böse, p. 184, pl. 13, fig. 20.

1900

Rhynchonella variabilis Schlotheim; Böse and Schlosser, p. 196, pl. 18, figs. 7, 8.

?1900

Rhynchonella aff. alberti Oppel; Böse and Schlosser, p. 193, pl. 18, fig. 1.

1910

Rhynchonella briseis Gemmellaro; Principi, p. 78, pl. 3, fig. 3.

?1920

Rhynchonella briseis Gemmellaro; Dareste de la Chavanne, p. 15, pl. 1, fig. 3; pl. 3, fig. 2.

1958

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Ager, p. 52, text-fig. 28.

1967

Cirpa fronto briseis Sacchi Vialli and Cantaluppi, p. 73, pl. 11, figs. 1–3.

?1967

Prionorhynchia aff. latifrons (Stur); Sacchi Vialli and Cantaluppi, p. 77, pl. 12, fig. 1.

1978

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Benigni, p. 139, pl. 14, fig. 1.

1981

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Giovannoni, p. 207, pl. 2, figs. 4–6.

1987

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Alméras and Elmi, p. 50, pl. 3, fig. 1.

1987

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro) morpho langi Alméras and Elmi, p. 50, pl. 3, figs. 2–5.

?1993

Cirpa cf. briseis (Gemmellaro); Manceñido, p. 83, pl. 1, fig. 6.

1999

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Iñesta, p. 15, pl. 1, fig. 6.

?2000

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Alméras and Fauré, p. 104, pl. 11, figs. 7–10.

2002

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Manceñido et al., p. 1264, fig. 861 (1).

2003

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Vörös et al., p. 70, pl. 6, figs. 13–15.

2003

Cirpa cf. briseis (Gemmellaro); Vörös et al., p. 78, pl. 8, figs. 18, 19.

2004

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Baeza-Carratalá, p. 211, fig. 2(1).

?2007

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Alméras et al., p. 46.

2008

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Baeza-Carratalá., p. 154, pl. 4, figs. 5–9.

2010

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Mandl et al., p. 92, pl. 2, fig. 1; pl. 7, fig. 1.

2010

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Comas-Rengifo and Goy, p. 12, pl. 1, figs. 10, 11.

?2011

Cirpa cf. briseis (Gemmellaro); Vörös and Kandemir, p. 353, fig. 4 (3).

non 2011

Cirpa cf. briseis (Gemmellaro); Rodrigo, p. 78, pl. 1, figs. 2, 3.

2013

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Alméras and Cougnon, p. 55, pl. 5, fig. 10.

2013

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Alméras and Fauré, p. 32, pl. 1, fig. 8.

2013

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Baeza-Carratalá., p. 84, fig. 5 (4).

2014

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Alméras et al., p. 20, pl. 2, fig. 2.

?2014

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Alméras et al., p. 20, pl. 2, fig. 3.

2016b

Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro); Baeza-Carratalá et al., p. 248, fig. 4 (1).

Figure 3. Some representative Pliensbachian species of Cirpa from the External Subbetic paleomargin. Each specimen is ordered consecutively in dorsal, anterior, and lateral views. (1–14) Cirpa lucentina n. sp. (1–3) Holotype, specimen CCA.8.Clat.1 from Cerro de La Cruz; (4–6) specimen O.5.B.12.4 from JdC collection; (7–9) specimen I.11.T19(19).1 from Sierra de Algayat; (10–12) specimen CCA.8.Clat.2 from Cerro de La Cruz; (13, 14) specimen I.11.T9(9).2 from Sierra de Algayat. (15–28) Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro, 1874). (15–17) Specimen CCA.8.Cbri.1 from Cerro de La Cruz; (18–20) specimen I.12.24.2 from Sierra de Algayat; (21, 22) specimen O.8.23.T1.5 from Sierra de la Espada; (23–25) specimen I.12.3.2 from Sierra de Algayat; (26–28) specimen I.13.B5.5 from Sierra de Algayat. (29–37) Cirpa planifrons (Ormós, 1937). (29–31) Specimen CCA.8.C.pla.1 from Cerro de La Cruz; (32–34) specimen CCA.8.C.pla.2 from Cerro de La Cruz; (35–37) specimen Z1B.Clat.1 from Sierra de Orts. Scale bar = 1 cm.

Holotype

The original type material, deposited in the collections of the University of Palermo, was described by Gemmellaro (1874, pl. 11, figs. 19–22) from the Pliensbachian of Sicily (“Terebratula Aspasia beds”).

Occurrence

As can be deduced from the synonymy, C. briseis is pervasive and widespread from Pontides to Algeria throughout different Tethyan biochoremas. Early records of this species were cited in the “Middle Lias” from the Italian basins, the pre-Alps, Greece, and the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian of Schafberg (Austria), among many other records. The occurrence of this taxon is remarkable in the Domerian (Margaritatus Zone, Stokesi Subzone) from the Pyrenees; the late Domerian (Spinatum Zone) from the French Alps; Pliensbachian (Margaritatus Zone) from Quercy (Alméras and Fauré, 2013) and Pliensbachian (Spinatum Zone) from the SE French Central Massif (Alméras and Elmi, 1987); and the latest Pliensbachian from Eastern Pontides (Vörös and Kandemir, 2011). In the peri-Iberian platform system, it is recorded in the late Pliensbachian from the Subbetic area (Azéma, 1977; Iñesta, 1988; Baeza-Carratalá, 2013); late Pliensbachian from the Prebetic/Subbetic transition (Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2016b), and in the Davoei–Margaritatus chronozones (Pliensbachian) from the Asturian basin (Comas-Rengifo and Goy, 2010).

Description

Medium-sized dorsibiconvex shell, usually wider than long, with the maximum width and thickness shifted toward the anterior third of the shell. Dorsal outline is triangular to subpentagonal, with a rounded anterior margin. The beak is strong, suberect, and shows a small pedicle foramen and poorly developed beak ridges. The flanks of the shell show shallow and relatively narrow planareas. Lateral commissure is slightly arcuate near the beak, then running straight to the anterior margin, tilted with ventral orientation. Anterior commissure is uniplicate with a marked subtrapezoidal dorsal median fold, occasionally rendering a subcynocephalous profile to the shell. Ribbing pattern consists of 7–12 sharp and spaced ribs (3–4 of which are present on the median fold), triangular in cross-section, running along the entire shell length without bifurcation.

The internal structure of this species (Fig. 4) shows a subrectangular delthyrial cavity in cross-section, where a strong pedicle collar is visible and the double deltidial plates, distinctive of several taxa arranged into the genus Cirpa, are present (Fig. 4). Dental plates are ventrally convergent to subparallel. Hinge teeth are massive and crenulated, and are inserted in rather deep and crenulated sockets. The dorsal median septum is very short with no detectable evidence of a septalium. Hinge plates fused in the early stages (Fig. 4), ventrally arcuate to horizontal. Crural development is incipiently hamiform, but with a particularly short dorso-ventral expansion. Thus, initially, the crural bases show a markedly triangular cross-section with bracket-shaped crural progress and endings, reaching the total crural architecture around one-third of the shell-length. Secondary layer of the shell shows an eurinoid pattern, with rhombic to subrectangular cross-section of coarse calcite fibers ~70–80 μm wide and 30 μm thick (Fig. 5.3).

Figure 4. Internal structure of Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro, 1874) from the Pliensbachian (Eastern Prebetic); serial sections orientated with the ventral valve up. (1) Specimen CCC-3 in which serial sections were performed; (2) transverse serial sections through the same specimen (distance from the apex in mm); (3–7) photomicrographs of acetate peels from the same specimen: (3) section at 1.40 mm showing distinctive pedicle collar in the upper part; (4) section at 1.50 mm showing the short dorsal median septum; (5, 6) sections at 1.70 and 2.60 mm, respectively, showing progression of the fused hinge plates from the earlier stages; (7) section at 2.90 mm showing crural bases with an incipiently hamiform development. (8) Specimen CCB.5.2 in which serial sections were performed; (9) transverse serial sections through CCB.5.2 (distance from the apex in mm); (10–15) photomicrographs of acetate peels from CCB.5.2: (10) section at 0.80 mm showing traces of pedicle collar and dental plate; (11, 12) sections at 2.00 and 2.20 mm, respectively, showing fused hinge plates and the hinge teeth inserted in deep sockets; (13–15) partial sections at 2.60, 3.10, and 3.80 mm, respectively, corresponding with the hamiform crural development. Scale bars = 1 cm (1, 8), 2 mm (2, 9), 1 mm (3–7, 10, 13–15), and 0.5 mm (11, 12).

Figure 5. Eurinoid microstructure of the secondary layer of the shell in some wellerelloid taxa analyzed. (1) Cirpa planifrons (Ormós, 1937), section at 2.20 mm from the apex in the specimen CCA.8.Cpla.X. (2) Cirpa lucentina n. sp., section at 2.30 mm from the apex in the specimen I.12.T26(26).1. (3) Cirpa briseis (Gemmellaro, 1874), section at 2.00 mm from the apex in the specimen CCB5.2. (4) Salgirella alberti (Oppel, 1861), section at 2.40 mm from the apex in the specimen I.12.T26(26).2. All scale bars represent 50 μm.

Material

The studied sample of this species includes 248 mostly articulated and differently preserved specimens from La Algueda (2 specimens), Tarabillo (9), Sierra de Orts (3), Cerro de la Cruz-1 (89), Cerro de la Cruz-2 (129), Miguelín quarry (6), La Mola (10), and supplemented by 32 specimens from the JdC collection derived from Sierra de Algayat, Sierra de la Espada, and Collado de La Campana.

Remarks

In addition to the main biometric ratios, intraspecific variability of C. briseis in the Betic domain mainly lies in the aforementioned presence of 7–12 ribs in the shell (3–4 on the median fold), as well as in the height of the fold, which ranges from low to subcynocephalous profiles. The rather flat ventral valve prevails in the stock of the Betic material, contributing to this cynocephalous-like profile, however several specimens exhibit higher grade of ventral convexity, as noted by previous authors (e.g., Principi, 1910, pl. 3, fig. 3; Manceñido, 1993, pl. 1, fig. 6).

In contrast, Sacchi Vialli and Cantaluppi (1967) figured Cirpa fronto briseis with a lower folding pattern than the Betic individuals. As can be deduced, this acceptable range of variability in the folding pattern was noticed early, even in the original material studied by Gemmellaro (1874).

The typical costation pattern derived from the literature consists of 3 ribs restricted to the median fold, but an increasing number of ribs in this area is often reported. Even the type material displays specimens with 4 (Gemmellaro, 1874, pl. 11, figs. 19, 20) and 3 ribs (Gemmellaro, 1874, pl. 11, figs. 21, 22), which agrees with the individuals herein analyzed. Iñesta (1999) and Vörös et al. (2003) also illustrated specimens with 4 ribs on the dorsal fold. Benigni (1978) depicted one exceptional specimen matching with the concept of the species herein outlined with 15 ribs in the entire shell.

Cirpa briseis is a mainly Pliensbachian taxon conspicuously recorded in a huge number of western Tethyan localities. However, as shown in the synonymy list, this species has been misidentified occasionally as other closely related taxa belonging to the genera Cirpa and Salgirella. Some previous attributions to Rhynchonella alberti Oppel, 1861 (=Salgirella alberti) or related forms suitably could fit within the conspecific range of C. briseis (e.g., Böse and Schlosser, 1900, pl. 18, fig. 1). Certainly, some external features in extreme morphologies of C. briseis can be compared with S. alberti, as can be deduced from the morphometrical analysis performed (see results section above), because both occupy nearby scores in the morphospace plots. However, this analysis also evinces the defining characters to separate them, such as the more-prominent smooth areas beside the dorsal fold or higher folding pattern in S. alberti, resulting in a deeper ventral sulcus. Salgirella alberti usually shows more widely expanded outlines as well.

Likewise, some specimens figured by Parona (1884, pl. 2, figs. 10–20; pl. 3, fig. 2) and Dareste de la Chavanne (1920) as Rhynchonella briseis do not fit in the species concept outlined here, and may correspond to other representatives ascribed to Cirpa (e.g., C. planifrons [Ormós, 1937]) or even to Prionorhynchia (e.g., Sulser and Furrer, 2005, assigned Parona's referred material to Prionorhynchia calderinii [Parona, 1880]). The same occurs with the specimen depicted by Haas (1884, pl. 1, fig. 6), which reveals wide and very deep Prionorhynchia-type planareas. Similarly, the variety iphimedia, erected by Di Stefano (1891, pl. 3, figs. 14–17), does not agree with the range of variability of C. briseis due the presence of a high and narrow dorsal fold (with 5–7 ribs), exceeding the global thickness and giving a trilobate anterior outline to the shell.

The external features of Prionorhynchia aff. P. latifrons (Geyer, 1889) (Sacchi Vialli and Cantaluppi, 1967, pl. 12, fig. 1) can be compared with C. briseis, but the serial sections of this material are not fully conclusive (Sacchi Vialli and Cantaluppi, 1967, p. 77). Some doubts also exist regarding the attribution made by Alméras and Fauré (2000, especially the specimen depicted in pl. 11, fig. 10) due to the high degree of convexity of both valves, providing a globose profile to the shell. The same occurs with the Norman specimen figured by Alméras et al. (2014, pl. 2, fig. 3), which shows a lower folding pattern, imperceptible planareas, and higher convexity of the valves. Unfortunately, the western Algerian material is not figured for comparison (Alméras et al., 2007, p. 46). In the northern part of the Iberian Cordillera, Rodrigo (2011) reported Cirpa cf. C. briseis, but some features, such as the absence of planareas, a more massive beak, the higher convexity of the valves, and costation consisting up to 19 ribs, prevent its inclusion in the genus Cirpa, pending verification concerning internal structure data. Finally, in Turkey, Vörös and Kandemir (2011) figured a single poorly preserved specimen that could fit within the intraspecific variability herein described.

This species has been frequently incorporated among the diverse attributions to Rhynchonella variabilis (e.g., Geyer, 1889, pl. 4, figs. 19–21; Böse and Schlosser, 1900, pl. 8, figs. 7, 8). Rhynchonella variabilis is a catch-all nominal species involving several taxa (most of them especially attributable to the genus Cirpa), inappropriately differentiated mainly by the number of ribs located on the median fold. Hence, some previous authors (e.g., Manceñido, 1993; Alméras and Fauré, 2000; Siblík, 2002) endorsed Ager's (1959) early interpretation that R. variabilis is a nomen dubium that should be avoided unless it becomes more clearly defined in the future. Vörös et al. (2003) also noted the broad interpretation in the literature of the species variabilis, which complicates the separation of C. briseis from other taxa included in that imprecise designation.

Some previous authors (e.g., Manceñido et al., 2002; Baeza-Carratalá, 2008) have regarded Cirpa primitiva (De Gregorio, 1930) as a junior subjective synonym of C. briseis. However, Vörös and Kandemir (2011) seem not to fully agree with this opinion, arguing that many nominal species assigned to Cirpa only show minor differences, even including the original definition of the genus synonymized with C. briseis. In this work, it is preferred not to include C. primitiva in the synonymy list of C. briseis, thus retaining C. primitiva as a valid type species of the genus, given that the material of the present research does not allow clarifying this nominal topic.

Cirpa briseis can be easily differentiated from Cirpa langi Ager, 1958, because this latter species shows more ribs, wider expanded outline, and much flatter valves. Cirpa langi carpathica (Siblík, 1966) shows coarser ribs, narrow folding pattern, and subquadrate anterior margin with straight lateral flanks. Cirpa lucentina n. sp. also has flatter valves and more ribs that are occasionally bifurcated. Cirpa slovenica Siblík, 1967, is oversized, with markedly elliptical anterior outline, and 4–7 ribs arranged on the median fold.

Cirpa fallax (Deslongchamps, 1862)
Figure 6.7–6.18

?1858

Rhynchonella egretta (Nobis); Deslongchamps, p. 164, pl. 4, figs. 4–6.

1862

Rhynchonella fallax Deslongchamps, p. 267, pl. 3, figs. 1–5.

non 1884

Rhynchonella fallax Deslongchamps; Davidson, p. 275, pl. 20, figs. 4, 5.

non 1918

Rudirhynchia fallax (Deslongchamps); Buckman, p. 45.

non 1928

Rudirhynchia? fallax (Deslongchamps); Muir-Wood, p. 249, fig. 6.

non 1958

Rudirhynchia fallax (Deslongchamps); Ager, p. 83.

non 1962

Rudirhynchia fallax (Deslongchamps); Ager, pl. 8, fig. 1.

1996

Pseudogibbirhynchia fallax (Deslongchamps); Alméras, p. 8, pl. 1, figs. 4–6.

2013

Cirpa fallax (Deslongchamps); Comas-Rengifo et al., fig. 2.

2015

Cirpa fallax (Deslongchamps); Comas-Rengifo et al., fig. 3: 7.

Figure 6. Some representative Early Jurassic species of Cirpa from the Lusitanian, Internal Subbetic, and easternmost Subbetic paleomargins. Each specimen is ordered consecutively in dorsal, anterior, and lateral views (1–18) or in dorsal, lateral, and anterior views (19–21). (1–6) Cirpa cf. C. slovenica Siblík, 1967; (1–3) specimen O.5.B.10.1; (4–6) specimen O.5.B.10.2 from the JdC collection. (7–18) Cirpa fallax (Deslongchamps, 1862) from the Toarcian of Portugal; (7–9) specimen PT.33.1 from the Polymorphum Zone of Peniche; (10–18) specimens FC.6.12, FC.12.7, and FC.12.2, respectively, from the Polymorphum Zone of Fonte Coberta. (19–21) Cirpa subcostellata (Gemmellaro, 1882), specimen SG1.CS1 from the Sinemurian of Sierra Gorda (Internal Subbetic, Granada). Scale bar = 1 cm.

Holotype

The holotype and possible syntypes originally studied and drawn by Deslongchamps (1858) come from the locality of May (South-Caen, Normandy, France). According to Deslongchamps (1858, p. 139–154), the original Rh. fallax was found in deposits filling an Ordovician relief just below the “Couche à Leptaena”. These specimens are missing because they were housed in the collections of the Museum of Caen, which was destroyed in World War II (Alméras et al., 2014). This work illustrates several hypotypes (Fig. 6.7–6.18), including specimen FC.12.7 (Fig. 6.13–6.15), which is the individual showing the most relevant diagnostic criteria. A second sectioned hypotype (FC.12.31) is shown in Figure 7. The “Couche à Leptaena” are equivalent in age to the “Marly Limestones with Leptaena Fauna” (MLLF) Member of the São Gião Formation from the Polymorphum Zone at the Fonte Coberta outcrop (Portugal) (Duarte et al., 2018), from which the proposed hypotypes come. Both specimens are stored within the DPUCM collections.

Figure 7. Internal structure of Cirpa fallax (Deslongchamps, 1862) from the Toarcian (Lusitanian Basin); serial sections orientated with the ventral valve up. (1) Specimen FC.12.31 in which serial sections were performed; (2) transverse serial sections through the same specimen (distance from the apex in mm); (3–5) photomicrographs of acetate peels from the same specimen: (3) section at 2.50 mm showing the fused hinge plates; also notice the interlocked dentition and the starting of the crural bases; (4) section at 1.10 mm showing the doubled (“buttressed”) deltidial plates; (5) section at 3.80 mm with a detail of the eurinoid microstructure of the shell. Scale bars = 1 cm (1), 2 mm (2), 1 mm (3, 4) and 0.5 mm (5).

Occurrence

Rhynchonella fallax Deslongchamps, 1862, was originally described from the Middle Lias from Calvados (NW France). However, Alméras (1996, p. 8) stated that, in fact, this material comes from the lower Toarcian. Its record in the peri-Iberian platforms is limited to the Polymorphum Zone of the Lusitanian Basin (corresponding to the Tenuicostatum Zone in the northwestern European areas).

Description

Small- to medium-sized equibiconvex shell, with both valves rather flat, and sub-triangular outline in dorsal view. Shell wider than long, with the maximum width in the anterior third of the shell. The subrectangular anterior profile with flattened and truncated anterior margin is representative of this species of Cirpa. Beak suberect, with a relatively large foramen, often rimmed. Lateral commissure is straight and the anterior one is uniplicate, showing a wide and low dorsal median fold, sub-rectangular in outline. Ribbing pattern consists of 15–24 (x̄ = 18.7) sharp and triangular ribs (4–8 on the median fold), frequently bifurcated in their posterior part.

Cirpa fallax shows a subrectangular to trapezoidal delthyrial cavity in cross-section, with short dental plates and double deltidial plates (Fig. 7.2, 7.4). Hinge teeth are massive and crenulated, supplemented by small denticula; teeth are inserted in crenulated sockets as well. The dorsal median septum is barely visible and septalium is absent. Hinge plates fused, parallel, and horizontal (Fig. 7.2, 7.3). Crural development is hamiform, crural bases with triangular cross-section, progressing anteriorly with short ventral development. Secondary layer of the shell shows an eurinoid pattern with rhombic cross-sectional outline of the calcite fibers (Fig. 7.5).

Material

Forty-five whole specimens (31 mensurable) from Fonte Coberta (Rabaçal) (41), Peniche (2), and Ribeiro (Coimbra) (2) outcrops, all of them belonging to the Lusitanian Basin (Portugal).

Remarks

Cirpa fallax is distinguished from other species of Cirpa by its large number of strong, often bifurcated ribs, and its lower lateral profile. Alméras (1996, p. 8) assigned three specimens from Peniche with these external features to Pseudogibbirhynchia fallax, due to their close similarity to specimens from Rabaçal attributed to Pseudogibbirhynchia moorei (Davidson in Ager, 1962); however, the paucity of specimens prevented the study of internal structures. Previously, Buckman (1918, p. 45) included the English forms attributed by Davidson (1884) to R. fallax in his new genus Rudirhynchia. This determination was subsequently followed by Muir-Wood (1928) and Ager (1958, 1959, 1962), but lacked data on the internal structure. However, Ager (1967, p. 163), after examination of new material from Somerset, considered these English forms to be upper Sinemurian in age, different from the Norman species, and even attributed this material to Prionorhynchia greppini (Oppel, 1861).

Three sectioned specimens from Rabaçal and Peniche reveal the characteristic internal features of the genus Cirpa, particularly the fused cardinal plates and double strengthened deltidial plates (Fig. 7). This led Comas-Rengifo et al. (2013, 2015) to reconsider the generic position of Rh. fallax, arranging the Portuguese material in the genus Cirpa.

Specimens of the original “Rhynchonella” fallax, which are only known from drawings, are probably missing, as unfortunately occurred with many parts of the Deslongchamps collections, because of the destruction of the Caen Museum in World War II (Alméras et al., 2014). Attribution of the specimens studied to “Rh.” fallax is based on the conclusions of Alméras (1996). Nevertheless, the nominal species “Rhynchonella egretta” by Deslongchamps (1858, p. 164, pl. 4, figs. 4–6) from the same “Leptaena Beds” of May (Calvados) could also be related to the Portuguese specimens. Drawings of the specimens of this taxon show the bifurcated (or intercalated) ribs that are common in C. fallax from Portugal and equally low lateral profile, although the median fold is much more pronounced. In the original description, this material is associated with numerous species of thecideides, koninckinides, spiriferinides, terebratulides, and rhynchonellides, including Pseudokingena deslongchampsi (Davidson, 1850), Koninckella liasina (Bouchard in Davidson and Morris, 1847), and Nannirhynchia pygmaea (Morris in Davidson and Morris, 1847), which is similar to the assemblage where C. fallax is recorded in the Lusitanian Basin. Because the original type specimens are missing due to the destruction of the Museum of Caen, it remains unclear whether the Portuguese Cirpa and Rh. egretta are conspecific, thus we retain the specific attribution proposed by Alméras (1996).

Cirpa lucentina new species
Figure 3.1–3.14, 8

1923

Rhynchonella aff. variabilis Schlotheim; Jiménez de Cisneros (part) p. 26, pl. 5, fig. 14.

1923

Rhynchonella latifrons Stur; Jiménez de Cisneros, p. 36.

?1967

Prionorhynchia latifrons (Stur); Sacchi Vialli and Cantaluppi, p. 76, pl. 11, figs. 7, 8 (part; not Prionorhynchia aff. latifrons, pl. 12, fig. 1).

2004

Cirpa latifrons (Stur in Geyer); Baeza-Carratalá, p. 211, fig. 2(2).

2008

Cirpa aff. latifrons (Stur in Geyer); Baeza-Carratalá, p. 164, pl. 4, figs. 1–4.

2013

Cirpa aff. latifrons; Baeza-Carratalá, p. 80, fig. 3A.

2016b

Cirpa aff. latifrons; Baeza-Carratalá et al., p. 248, fig. 4(7).

Holotype

Specimen CCA.8.Clat.1 (Fig. 3.1–3.3). Dimensions (in mm): L: 16.73; W: 18.31; T: 9.04. Type locality: Cerro de la Cruz de La Romana, Alicante Province, Betic Cordillera, Spain. Red crinoidal grainstone member of the Gavilán Formation; Pliensbachian. Deposited in the collections of the DCTMA (University of Alicante, Spain).

Diagnosis

Medium-sized multicostate Cirpa with rather flat valves. Beak small with short and slightly depressed planareas. Anterior commissure uniplicate in a wide dorsal median fold; with numerous ribs, occasionally bifurcate; pedicle collar present, double triangular deltidial plates; fused subhorizontal hinge plates, hamiform crura.

Occurrence

In the Subbetic Domain, the material updated as C. lucentina n. sp. was cited by Jiménez de Cisneros (1923) in the “Middle Lias.” Baeza-Carratalá (2013) restricted the distribution range of this taxon in the Subbetic and the Prebetic/Subbetic transitional zones (Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2016b) to the late Pliensbachian.

Description

Medium-sized biconvex shells with both valves rather flat. Shell wider than long and the thickness is about half its width. The maximum width lies around the mid-length and the maximum thickness is shifted toward the posterior third of the shell. Dorsal outline is triangular with a rounded anterior margin. The beak is small and strong, suberect, and shows a minute pedicle foramen. Narrow, faintly defined beak ridges bordering slightly depressed planareas that are poorly developed on the flanks. Commissure is straight laterally and uniplicate at anterior margin, showing a low, arcuate, and wide dorsal median fold. Multicostate shell, displaying 13–16 ribs running along the entire shell length, triangular in cross-section (4–6 of which are present on the median fold). It is not unusual to detect bifurcations originating from the posterior third of the shell.

In its internal structure (Fig. 8), posterior subelliptical delthyrial cavity and semicircular umbonal cavities are visible. Pedicle collar present. Double deltidial plates, triangular in cross-section. Dental plates are straight and subparallel. Hinge teeth and sockets are crenulated, also developing small denticula. Dorsal median septum very short. Hinge plates are slender and fused, parallel to the commissural plane. They initially show a slight ventral orientation, anteriorly becoming straight and subparallel. Hamiform crural development, with relatively large comma-shaped crural endings (Fig. 8). Secondary layer of the shell shows an eurinoid pattern, featuring fibers with rhombic/subquadrate outline in cross section, ~60–80 μm wide and 30–50 μm thick (Fig. 5.2).

Figure 8. Internal structure of Cirpa lucentina n. sp. from the Pliensbachian (Eastern Prebetic); serial sections orientated with the ventral valve up. (1) Specimen I.12.T26(26).1 in which serial sections were performed; (2) transverse serial sections through the same specimen (distance from the apex in mm); (3–5) photomicrographs of acetate peels from the same specimen: (3) section at 0.30 mm showing distinctive pedicle collar between dental plates; (4) section at 1.40 mm showing the short dorsal median septum; (5) section at 1.70 mm showing fused hinge plates and insertion of hinge teeth in sockets. Scale bars = 1 cm (1), 2 mm (2), and 1 mm (3–5).

Etymology

From the Latin, Lucentum, the ancient toponym of Alicante, the region where this species is recorded for the first time.

Material

Fifty-six specimens sampled from Cerro de la Cruz-1 (23), Cerro de la Cruz-2 (32), and La Mola (1); supplemented by 58 shells from the JdC collection derived from Rincón de Egea, Sierra de la Espada, Sierra de Algayat, Cerro de la Cruz, Moleta de Togores, and Collado de la Campana outcrops.

Remarks

Intraspecific variability of Cirpa lucentina n. sp. mainly lies in the number of costae, which is increased by bifurcation in some individuals. Moreover, while the valves are consistently flat, several specimens show slightly dorsibiconvex profiles (e.g., Jiménez de Cisneros, 1923). In addition, the anterior folding shape can vary from the representative arcuate/semicircular to straight/subrectangular outlines.

As can be deduced from the synonymic list, specimens of Cirpa lucentina n. sp. were related and assimilated as possible Betic counterparts of the species Rhynchonella latifrons Geyer, 1889, and were assigned in open nomenclature to Cirpa aff. C. latifrons in the latest papers (Baeza-Carratalá, 2004, 2008, 2013; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2016b). This attribution was based upon the external features (i.e., folding pattern, flattened valves, even specimens bearing bifurcated ribs), except for the development of (often short) planareas in the Betic specimens, which apparently are comparable with the records of the Austrian Alps where the types of Rhynchonella latifrons were defined by Geyer (1889). In this sense, Rh. latifrons was tentatively attributed to Cirpa by several previous authors (Dulai, 1992, 2003; Böhm et al., 1999, Vörös et al., 2003; Baeza-Carratalá, 2004). This attribution to the genus Cirpa was consistent with the internal structure revealed by the Subbetic stock (Fig. 8), with double deltidial plates, fused hinge plates, and hamiform crura. Thus, Baeza-Carratalá (2008, 2013) proposed the combination Cirpa aff. C. latifrons.

Unravelling the taxonomy of lowermost Jurassic multicostate rhynchonellids, Tomašových (2006) thoroughly revised the attributions of Rh. latifons (Geyer, 1889). The very comprehensive analysis of the internal structure in such specimens revealed that the Hettangian–Sinemurian “true latifrons” from the Western Carpathians and the Austrian Alps evolved disjoint hinge plates inclined forming a sessile septalium, no pedicle collar, and subfalciform crura. This evidence led to erection of a new genus (Jakubirhynchia Tomašových, 2006), with Jakubirhynchia latifrons (Geyer, 1889) as type species, separate from Cirpa, even at the Superfamily level (Cirpa = Wellerelloidea; Jakubirhynchia = Pugnacoidea).

Bearing in mind that the Betic material undoubtedly can be placed in the genus Cirpa, it should be split from the J. latifrons stock, and we consider it herein as new species. Additionally, both biostratigraphical ranges are unconnected since Jakubirhynchia latifrons is regarded hitherto as a representative species from the Hettangian–Sinemurian, while C. lucentina n. sp. is recorded in the late Pliensbachian.

On the other hand, the material recorded in the easternmost Subbetic and the Prebetic/Subbetic transitional areas of La Mola region differs from several comparable species assigned to Cirpinae, such as Calcirhynchia plicatissima (Quenstedt, 1852), which shows higher convexity on both valves and narrower dorsal outline. Cirpa planifrons shows anteriorly truncated dorsal outline and narrower fold, and Cirpa subcostellata (Gemmellaro, 1882) has fewer ribs overall. Finally, among the Jakubirhynchia representatives, Jakubirhynchia? fascicostata (Uhlig, 1879) externally differs in having more convex valves and numerous ribs.

Possible equivalents of the new species herein erected may be the specimens assigned to Prionorhynchia latifrons by Sacchi Vialli and Cantaluppi (1967), which show a narrower dorsal median fold, fitting within the intraspecific variability of this taxon. Moreover, the partial serial sections performed by the aforementioned authors (Sacchi Vialli and Cantaluppi, 1967, p. 76, text-fig. 4) might be attributable to the genus Cirpa, but they are not conclusive because the entire crural development is not clear.

Cirpa planifrons (Ormós, 1937)
Figure 3.29–3.37

1937

Rhynchonella planifrons Ormós, p. 41, pl. 1, fig. 19.

1993a

Cirpa planifrons (Ormós); Siblík, p. 967, pl. 1, figs. 1–3.

1993b

Cirpa planifrons (Ormós); Siblík, p. 130, pl. 2, fig. 6.

1999

Cirpa planifrons (Ormós); Böhm et al., p. 196, pl. 29, figs. 7, 9.

2003

Cirpa planifrons (Ormós); Vörös et al., p. 70, pl. 6, figs. 19, 20.

2003

Cirpa aff. planifrons (Ormós); Dulai, p. 20, pl. 2, figs. 11–16.

?2007

Cirpa? planifrons (Ormós); Alméras et al., p. 44.

2008

Cirpa planifrons (Ormós); Baeza-Carratalá, p. 171, pl. 7, fig. 6.

2008

Cirpa planifrons (Ormós); Siblík and Lobitzer, p. 65, pl. 1, fig. 9.

?2010

Cirpa planifrons (Ormós); Mandl et al., p. 91, pl. 2, fig. 2.

Holotype

The holotype of this species was described and figured by Ormós (1937, p. 41, pl. 1, fig. 19). Sinemurian (Oxynotum Zone) from the “Unteren Lias-Schichten,” Kékhegy, Bakony Mts., Hungary.

Occurrence

The original Rhynchonella planifrons Ormós (1937) was cited in the Sinemurian (Oxynotum Chronozone) from Hungary. Most of the occurrences of this species were reported from the Sinemurian: the Marmorea Zone from Northern Calcareous Alps (Siblík, 1993a); from Schafberg (Austria) (Vörös et al., 2003); and from the Hettangian–late Sinemurian of the Bakony Mts. (Hungary) (Dulai, 2003; Vörös and Dulai, 2007). Mandl et al. (2010) recorded this taxon in the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian? from Austria. The occurrence in the peri-Iberian platforms is limited to the Pliensbachian from the eastern Subbetic domain.

Description

Medium-sized equibiconvex shell, with both valves rather flat and with triangular outline in dorsal view. Shell wider than long, except for several specimens that show nearly equidimensional W/L ratios. Maximum width lies in the anterior third of the shell, slightly shifted toward the anterior margin. The subrectangular outline in the anterior view, with flattened and truncated anterior margin, is representative of this species of Cirpa. The beak is small, strong, suberect, and shows a minute pedicle foramen and poorly developed beak ridges. Well-developed but shallow planareas. Lateral commissure is straight; anterior commissure is uniplicate, showing a wide dorsal median fold, rectangular in outline. Ribbing pattern consists of 10–14 sharp, narrow, and triangular ribs (4–6 on the median fold).

Cirpa planifrons shows a subrectangular delthyrial cavity in cross-section, with a strong pedicle collar and well-developed deltidial plates (Fig. 9). Dental plates are short and subparallel. Hinge teeth are massive and crenulated, supplemented by small denticula, teeth are inserted in concomitantly crenulated sockets. The dorsal median septum is ephemeral; it is observed along 10 μm in cross-section, and the septalium is absent (Fig. 9.2). Hinge plates persistently fused, parallel, and horizontal (Fig. 9.2, 9.7). Crural development is hamiform, crural bases with triangular cross-section, progressing anteriorly with ventral development and revealing endings with inverted U-shaped section. Secondary layer of the shell shows an eurinoid pattern, with rhombic cross-sectional outline of the calcite fibers ~50–70 μm wide and 20–25 μm thick (Fig. 5.1).

Figure 9. Internal structure of Cirpa planifrons (Ormós, 1937) from the Pliensbachian (Eastern Prebetic); serial sections orientated with the ventral valve up. (1) Specimen CCA.8.Cpla.X in which serial sections were performed; (2) transverse serial sections through the same specimen (distance from the apex in mm); (3–10) photomicrographs of acetate peels from the same specimen: (3) section at 1.00 mm showing pedicle collar (black arrow) and well-developed deltidial plates; (4–7) sections at 2.30, 2.50, 2.70, and 2.90 mm, respectively, showing evolution of the fused hinge plates and progression of the articulation with the features of hinge teeth and sockets; (8–10) sections at 3.50, 3.80, and 4.10 mm, respectively, showing hamiform crural (black arrows) development progressing ventrally anteriorly with inverted U-shaped sections distally. Scale bars = 1 cm (1), 2 mm (2), and 0.5 mm (3–10).

Material

Eleven mostly poorly preserved specimens sampled from Cerro de la Cruz-1 (5), Cerro de la Cruz-2 (3), and Sierra de Orts (3), supplemented by nine specimens from the JdC collection derived from Sierra de la Espada and Sierra de Algayat.

Remarks

Cirpa planifrons shows a relatively low degree of intraspecific variability in the Subbetic material. Similar patterns of ribbing are noted both in the number of total ribs and in those confined on the median fold. Only a single specimen with one bifurcated rib was observed, as was earlier depicted in the previous literature (Siblík, 1993a; Vörös et al., 2003). The standard flattened valves can acquire a slight degree of convexity in some specimens, as was reported by Siblík (1993a, b). Juvenile specimens tend to be equidimensional, deviating from the usual wider than long biometric proportion of adults. This condition is also noticed in the material recorded by Dulai (2003). Mandl et al. (2010) depicted specimens with high degree of convexity and rather developed dorsal median fold, both features influencing the folding pattern, which differs from typical specimens assigned to this species. Specimens from western Algeria (Alméras et al., 2007) cannot be compared due the absence of illustrations of the two incomplete specimens cited. Siblík (1993a) and Siblík and Lobitzer (2008) partially sectioned this species, matching well the total progression of the internal architecture herein revealed (Fig. 9).

Cirpa planifrons differs from C. lucentina n. sp. in having a more rectangular and truncated anterior margin, as well as straight flanks. Cirpa fronto (Quenstedt, 1871) shows fewer and coarser ribs over the entire shell surface, as reported by Siblík (1993b) and Vörös et al. (2003).

Cirpa cf. C. slovenica Siblík, 1967
Figure 6.1–6.6

cf. 1966

Cirpa langi ssp. n., Siblík, p. 154 (fide Siblík, 1967, p. 155).

cf. 1967

Cirpa slovenica Siblík, p. 155, pl. 9, figs. 1–3.

2008

Cirpa cf. slovenica (Siblík); Baeza-Carratalá., p. 162, pl. 5, figs. 1, 2.

Holotype

The specimen MS-164 deposited in the collection of the Geological Survey of Prague was originally designated as the holotype of Cirpa slovenica (Siblík, 1967, pl. 9, fig. 1) and was collected in the uppermost beds of the Domerian from the Kostelec locality.

Occurrence

Siblík (1967) recorded this species in the latest Pliensbachian from Slovakia. The Subbetic material is attributed to late Pliensbachian as well.

Description

Medium- to large-sized dorsibiconvex shell, considerably wider than long. The dorsal outline is subpentagonal with a rounded anterior margin. The beak is suberect, showing a small pedicle foramen; the beak ridges are sharp in the posterior third of the shell. Well-developed smooth, narrow, and shallow planareas. Squama-glotta present near the beak (Fig. 6.6), then the lateral commissure running straight with ventral-tilted orientation. Anterior commissure is uniplicate, with a wide subtrapezoidal dorsal median fold. Fully costate shell consisting of 13–16 sharp and triangular ribs (4–7 of which occur on the median fold), without bifurcation. Growth lines are poorly visible, only on the planareas. Available material is not suitable for making serial sections.

Material

Eleven mostly fragmented specimens sampled from the Cerro de la Cruz-1 (3) and Cerro de la Cruz-2 (8); supplemented by 13 complete specimens from the JdC collection derived from Moleta de Togores and Sierra de la Espada outcrops.

Remarks

Specimens herein analyzed have been attributed to Cirpa cf. C. slovenica due to the considerable external similarity with the type material described and figured by Siblík (1967), because the Subbetic material differs only in having a higher folding pattern. The Subbetic material assigned to C. cf. C. slovenica corresponds with a large morphotype of Cirpa, comparable with the largest figured specimens of C. briseis (e.g., Di Stefano, 1891). Nevertheless, the widely expanded profile and greater number of ribs (both on the shell over and on the median dorsal fold) allow separating our specimens from C. briseis.

Cirpa? subcostellata (Gemmellaro, 1882)
Figure 6.19–6.21

1882

Rhynchonella subcostellata n. sp. Gemmellaro, p. 422, pl. 31, figs. 75–78.

?1897

Rhynchonella subcostellata Gemmellaro; Böse, p. 193, pl. 14, fig. 9.

?1912

Rhynchonella subcostellata Gemmellaro; Haas, p. 246, pl. 19, fig. 20.

2003

Cirpa subcostellata (Gemmellaro); Dulai, p. 21, pl. 3, figs. 1–3.

2003

Cirpa subcostellata (Gemmellaro); Elmi et al., p. 701, pl. 4, fig. 5.

2003

Cirpa subcostellata (Gemmellaro); Vörös et al., p. 71, pl. 6, figs. 13–15.

2007

Cirpa subcostellata (Gemmellaro); Vörös and Dulai, p. 54, pl. 1, fig. 12.

?2007

Cirpa subcostellata (Gemmellaro); Alméras et al., p. 45, pl. 2, figs. 8–10.

2008

Cirpa? aff. subcostellata; Siblík and Lobitzer, p. 66, pl. 2, fig. 6.

2009

Cirpa? subcostellata (Gemmellaro); Vörös, p. 76, pl. 8, fig. 9.

2010

Cirpa? subcostellata (Gemmellaro); Mandl et al., p. 89, pl. 2, fig. 3.

2018b

Cirpa subcostellata (Gemmellaro); Baeza-Carratalá et al., p. 373, pl. 4, fig. 5.

Holotype

The type specimen was figured in four views (dorsal, anterior, lateral, and ventral) by Gemmellaro (1882, pl. 31, figs. 75–78). It was collected from the “Lower Liassic” of Sicily, and is deposited in the collections of the University of Palermo.

Occurrence

Sinemurian–Early Pliensbachian from the Transdanubian Ranges (Vörös and Dulai, 2007) and Sicily (Gemmellaro, 1882); Sinemurian from Northern Calcareous Alps (Vörös et al., 2003; Mandl et al., 2010); late Sinemurian–early Pliensbachian (Raricostatum–Aenigmaticum zones) from western Algeria (Elmi et al., 2003; Alméras et al., 2007). Sinemurian (Turnieri–Raricostatum? zones) from the Subbetic area (Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2018b; this work).

Description

The specimens recorded present a subpentagonal, widely expanded dorsal outline, showing an uniplicate folding pattern with a low, narrow, and trapezoidal dorsal fold. The multicostate shell displays 14 densely packed and acute ribs (4 on the median fold), often bifurcate. The flanks of the shell show shallow and well-developed planareas. There is not enough material available for studying the internal structure.

Material

In the peri-Iberian platform system, this species of Cirpa is only recorded from the offshore areas of the Internal Subbetic Zone. The material also corresponds to very scarce (4) specimens derived from Sierra Gorda (Granada Province) assigned to the Sinemurian by Baeza-Carratalá et al. (2018b).

Remarks

Vörös (2009) thoroughly described and discussed this taxon and we fully agree with the interpretation that this author gives to C.? subcostellata. The few differences found in the Betic material with respect to those synonymized above are the presence of lower and lesser-constrained anterior uniplication and longer interareas. We also agree with the opinion of Vörös (2009) about giving an open generic nomenclature, awaiting better-preserved material to understand the internal structure of this species. On the basis of the external criteria, such as the beak features and the ribbing and folding patterns, it seems appropriate to assign this taxon provisionally to the genus Cirpa.

Genus Salgirella Moisseiev, 1936

Type species

Rhynchonella albertii Oppel, 1861.

Remarks

Since erection of the genus Salgirella in the “Middle Lias” of Crimea by Moisseiev (1936), the generic usage of Salgirella, separate from Cirpa, has been widely extended principally for reporting the type species Salgirella alberti (Oppel), largely widespread in the Mediterranean and Pontic biochoremas of the western Tethys. Several other reports of Salgirella, mainly in the Mediterranean bioprovince (e.g., S.? magnicostata [Ormós, 1937], S.? goicoecheai Baeza-Carratalá, 2011) would suggest that the separation of both genera may be appropriate. However, Cirpa and Salgirella have been considered as possible synonyms by some previous authors (e.g., Manceñido et al., 2002). According to the original diagnosis of Moisseiev and subsequent works of this author, Salgirella is typified by pentagonal-rounded dorsal outlines, with robust and incurved beak, acute and coarse ribs, short dental plates detached early from the ventral valve, deltidial plates with undulate curvature, short and poorly developed dorsal median septum, integral fused hinge plates, and septalium present. All of these characters, together with several morphometrical parameters herein analyzed (e.g., length of smooth areas separating median fold and flanks, ribbing pattern, widely expanded profile), are distinctive enough to justify a consistent basis for its taxonomic distinction from the genus Cirpa along with some additional criteria.

Internal structure.—The internal structure of both genera is similar regarding the crural architecture, with hamiform development and initially fused hinge plates. The dorsal septum is extremely short in both genera (a bit larger in Salgirella), but Salgirella is distinguished from Cirpa by the presence of a short U-shaped septalium. Distinctive double deltidial plates of Cirpa are not so clearly evident in Salgirella (this genus exhibiting a triangular cross section of deltidial plates), but more data are required to substantiate this last feature.

External structure.—Morphometric analysis of the dataset including all peri-Iberian cirpines has revealed a stock of Salgirella with more pronounced and wider smooth areas developed alongside the dorsal median fold than in representatives of genus Cirpa. This also implies more-spaced ribs in these areas resulting a deeper corresponding ventral sulcus. These external attributes may be considered as additional diagnostic criteria for Salgirella, combined with those proposed by previous authors, such as widely expanded outlines or the beak features, among others.

Salgirella alberti (Oppel, 1861)
Figure 10

1861

Rhynchonella Albertii Oppel, p. 546, pl. 13, fig. 4.

1879

Rhynchonella Albertii Oppel; Uhlig, p. 32, pl. 4, fig. 1.

non 1879

Rhynchonella Albertii Oppel var. sospirolensis; Uhlig, p. 32, pl. 4, fig. 2.

1889

Rhynchonella Alberti Oppel; Geyer, p. 43, pl. 5, figs. 14–17.

1889

Rhynchonella Alberti Oppel var. lobata; Geyer, p. 45, pl. 5, fig. 18.

?1895

Rhynchonella Alberti Oppel; Fucini, p. 172, pl. 7, fig. 1.

?1900

Rhynchonella sp. aff. Alberti Oppel; Böse and Schlosser, p. 193, pl. 18, fig. 1.

?1910

Rhynchonella Alberti Oppel; Principi, p. 79, pl. 3, fig. 8.

non 1912

Rhynchonella n. sp. ind. ex aff. Alberti Oppel; Haas, p. 241, pl. 19(1), fig. 16.

1920

Rhynchonella Albertii Oppel; Dareste de la Chavanne, p. 18, pl. 1, fig. 5.

1937

Rhynchonella alberti var. lobata Geyer; Ormós, p. 25, pl. 1, fig. 7.

non 1937

Rhynchonella alberti var. minor; Ormós, p. 25, pl. 1, figs. 8, 9.

1947

Salgirella alberti (Oppel); Moisseiev in Berg et al., p. 91, pl. 5, fig. 3.

cf. 1993

Salgirella cf. albertii (Oppel); Dulai, p. 30, pl. 1, fig. 2.

2002

Salgirella alberti (Oppel); Manceñido et al., p. 1266, fig. 862 (1).

cf. 2003

Salgirella cf. alberti (Oppel); Dulai, p. 29, pl. 5, figs. 7–10.

2007

Salgirella albertii (Oppel); Vörös and Dulai, p. 54, pl. 1, figs. 17, 18.

2008

Salgirella albertii (Oppel); Baeza-Carratalá, p. 178, pl. 8, figs. 1–6.

2008

Salgirella albertii (Oppel); Siblík and Lobitzer, p. 66, pl. 1, fig. 2.

2010

Salgirella cf. albertii (Oppel); Mandl et al., p. 93, pl. 2, fig. 8; pl. 6, fig. 6.

2010

Salgirella albertii (Oppel); Mandl et al., p. 91, pl. 7, fig. 6(9); pl. 9, fig. 5.

2014

Salgirella alberti (Oppel); Vörös, p. 22, figs. 24–26.

2018b

Salgirella alberti (Oppel); Baeza-Carratalá et al., p. 374, fig. 4 (8–10).

Figure 10. Some representative Early Jurassic specimens of Salgirella alberti (Oppel, 1861) from the Subbetic paleomargin. (1, 2) Specimen LL.al.1 (dorsal and anterior views, respectively); (3, 4) specimen LL.al.2 (dorsal and anterior views, respectively); (1–4) derive from the Pliensbachian-Toarcian transition from Las Losillas (External Subbetic, Murcia); (5–8) specimen I.14.3.9 from the JdC collection (views are ordered consecutively in dorsal, anterior, lateral, and ventral views); (9–11) specimen I.15.3.12 from the JdC collection (dorsal, anterior, and ventral views, respectively); (12–15) specimen O.8.20.T5.1 from the Pliensbachian of Sierra de Quibas (External Subbetic, Murcia); views are ordered consecutively in dorsal, anterior, lateral, and ventral views; (16–18) specimen SGA1.SA1 (dorsal, anterior, and lateral views respectively) from the Sinemurian of Sierra Gorda (Internal Subbetic, Granada). Scale bar = 1 cm.

Holotype

The single specimen figured as Rhynchonella Albertii by Oppel (1861, pl. 13, fig. 4), stored in the Museum für Naturkunde (Berlin) and collected from the Hierlatz limestones Formation.

Occurrence

This species is frequently reported in the classical literature (e.g., Oppel, 1861; Geyer, 1889; Ormós, 1937). Among the numerous localities where S. alberti is recorded, notable are those from the Sinemurian from the Northern Calcareous Alps (Geyer, 1889; Vörös et al., 2003; Siblík and Lobitzer, 2008; Mandl et al., 2010) and Crimea and Caucasus (Moisseiev, 1934; Moisseiev in Berg et al., 1947); from the Hettangian–late Sinemurian of the Transdanubian Ranges (Dulai, 1993, 2003; Vörös and Dulai, 2007); from the Pliensbachian of the Subbetic (Baeza-Carratalá, 2013; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2018b); from the Pliensbachian of Turkey (Vörös, 2014) or the North African basins (Dareste de la Chavanne, 1920).

Description

This species was recently exhaustively described and discussed in several western Tethys biochoremas (Dulai, 2003; Vörös and Dulai, 2007; Baeza-Carratalá, 2008; Vörös, 2014; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2018b; among others) and well illustrated over the last decades, as can be deduced from the synonymy list, and does not need further detailed systematic external description, but its great intraspecific variability justifies an abridged description of S. alberti in the peri-Iberian paleomargins, thus substantiating our interpretation of this taxon. Betic material of this species corresponds to medium-sized dorsibiconvex shells, with triangular/subpentagonal to pyriform dorsal outline. W/L ratio is rather variable. Maximum width lies on the anterior third of the shell. The beak is broad, strong, and slightly incurved, with a minute pedicle foramen; the beak ridges are short and barely perceivable, and planareas are not well developed. Commissure is straight laterally and uniplicate at anterior margin, with a narrow and subtrapezoidal to arcuate dorsal median fold. Coarsely ribbed shell, with 9–13 triangular ribs (2–4 on the median fold) without bifurcation. There are well-developed flat, smooth, areas just adjacent to the median fold, clearly separating the top of the dorsal fold from the flanks of the shell.

Serial sections of S. alberti (Fig. 11) show a rectangular delthyrial cavity and semicircular umbonal cavities. Pedicle collar is present. Deltidial plates are triangular in cross-section. Dental plates short, initially divergent, then subparallel. Hinge teeth massive and crenulated, as are the sockets. Small denticula visible. A short dorsal median septum and a poorly developed, shallow, wide, U-shaped septalium are discernible. Fused hinge plates flat and subhorizontal. Hamiform crural development, with comma-shaped crural plates (Fig. 11.2, 11.5). Secondary layer of the shell shows an eurinoid pattern, with rhombic/subrectangular cross-sectional outline of the calcite fibers, ~50–60 μm wide and 20–30 μm thick (Fig. 5.4).

Figure 11. Internal structure of Salgirella alberti (Oppel, 1861) from the Pliensbachian (Eastern Prebetic); serial sections orientated with the ventral valve up. (1) Specimen I.12.T26(26).2 in which serial sections were performed; (2) transverse serial sections through the same specimen (distance from the apex in mm); (3–5) photomicrographs of acetate peels from the same specimen: (3) section at 1.10 mm showing dorsal median septum and short septalium; (4) section at 1.90 mm showing the final part of the fused hinge plates; also notice the interlocked dentition and the beginnings of the crural bases; (5) section at 3.30 mm with separated hamiform crura. Scale bars = 1 cm (1), 2 mm (2), and 1 mm (3–5).

Material

Twenty-five articulated specimens in different states of preservation sampled from the Cerro de la Cruz, La Algueda, and Las Losillas outcrops in the External Subbetic; 6 fragmented specimens from the Internal Subbetic (Sierra Gorda); supplemented by 32 specimens from the JdC collection derived from Sierra de la Espada, Sierra de Quibas, Algayat, and Cerro Cruz Algueña.

Remarks

Although variability of this species has been extensively analyzed and discussed by previous authors (Moisseiev in Berg et al., 1947; Dulai, 2003; Vörös and Dulai, 2007; Baeza-Carratalá, 2008; Mandl et al., 2010; Vörös, 2014; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2018b; among others), short remarks about the Betic material must be emphasized due to the great variability reported in the previous literature. Baeza-Carratalá (2008) and Baeza-Carratalá et al. (2018b) indicated that the intraspecific variability of this species can vary between two extreme morphotypes: that from Salgir River, with larger and robust beak, fewer and stronger ribs, and narrower outline, referred to by Manceñido et al. (2002) and considered by several previous authors (e.g., Dareste de la Chavanne, 1920; Baeza-Carratalá, 2008, 2018b, part); versus the classical long-established morphotype intended by Oppel (1861), showing wider outline, pointed beak, and more prominent dorsal fold. The Pliensbachian material in the Subbetic basins shows both extremes of variability. Moreover, the westernmost Subbetic specimens, Pliensbachian in age, have more-pronounced smooth areas developed just adjacent to the median fold than the Sinemurian material from the Internal Subbetic (Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2018b).

The costation is a relatively consistent character. Specimens displaying 11 ribs on the entire shell are the most frequent, often with a variable number of ribs located on the median fold (and thus in the ventral sinus, where commonly 2–3 ribs occur). Some other variable features are related to the median dorsal fold (e.g., its outline ranging from higher subtriangular to trapezoidal and lower in shape).

Concerning the internal structure, short dental plates and septum, presence of septalium, and crural development suggest inclusion in the genus Salgirella. The specimen sectioned in this work agrees well with Moisseiev's material (Moisseiev in Berg et al., 1947) and with the serial sections depicted by Manceñido et al. (2002). Only minor variations can be detected, such as a shorter dorsal median septum in the Subbetic material than that from Salgir River sectioned by Lobacheva and illustrated by Manceñido et al. (2002) and, in turn, Moisseiev in Berg et al. (1947) showed shorter dental plates than the Subbetic material.

As specified above, the folding pattern of Cirpa briseis is comparable to and usually difficult to distinguish from S. alberti, if we consider that they are commonly recorded together in several western Tethyan basins. In this sense, S. alberti develops wider smooth areas on both flanks of the dorsal median fold and more-spaced ribs, especially noticed in these areas in the corresponding ventral valve sulcus (Fig. 10).

The variety sospirolensis (Uhlig, 1879) is not conspecific with S. alberti (Oppel), because it differs in having wide and deeper Prionorhynchia-type planareas. The same is applicable to the specimen figured by Principi (1910), which was tentatively assigned by Vörös (1994) to the genus Homoeorhynchia. The very flat dorsal valve and lesser development of contiguous areas to the median fold figured by Fucini (1895) or Böse and Schlosser (1900) could fit better in the conspecific range of Cirpa briseis. The complex taxonomical combination Rhynchonella n. sp. ind. ex affin. alberti, adopted by Haas (1912), has smooth posterior stage; it was revised as Homoeorhynchia? lubrica by Vörös (2009), whereas the variety minor (Ormós, 1937) shows densely packed ribs, flatter valves, and wider uniplication.

Apart from the aforementioned frequently misidentified C. briseis-S. alberti, the closest species is Salgirella? magnicostata (Ormós, 1937), but the latter taxon is larger and has a strong ribbing pattern.

Finally, concerning the spelling adopted as valid for this species name, even though Oppel (1861, p. 546) correctly formed a genitive from the surname Alberti, we agree with Vörös (2014, p. 22) that the emendation to “alberti” by Geyer (1889, p. 43, with the mandatory change of Art. 28) corresponds to a prevailing usage (cf., synonym list above), deemed to be a correct original spelling, to be preserved under Art. 33.3.1 of the ICZN (1999).

Salgirella? goicoecheai Baeza-Carratalá, 2011
Figure 12

2008

Salgirella? goicoecheai Baeza-Carratalá, p. 185, pl. 9, figs. 3, 4.

2011

Salgirella? goicoecheai Baeza-Carratalá, p. 350, fig. 2 (3, 4).

Figure 12. Endemic Pliensbachian species Salgirella? goicoecheai Baeza-Carratalá, 2011, from the Subbetic paleomargin. (1–3) Specimen O.7.22.2 (holotype) from the Moleta de Togores outcrop (JdC collection); views are ordered consecutively in dorsal, anterior, and lateral views; (4–6) specimen O.7.22.1 from the Moleta de Togores outcrop (JdC collection); views are ordered consecutively in dorsal, anterior, and lateral views; (7–10) specimen CI4550 derived from the Pliensbachian of Cerro de La Cruz-1 (Peiró collection, MUPE); views are ordered consecutively in dorsal, anterior, lateral, and ventral views; (11) fragmented specimen CCA.10.Sgo.CH (anterior view) from the Pliensbachian of Cerro de la Cruz-1; (12–14) specimen CI4548 derived from the Pliensbachian of Cerro de La Cruz-1 (Peiró collection, MUPE); views are ordered consecutively in dorsal, anterior, and ventral views. Scale bar = 1 cm.

Holotype

Specimen O.7.22.2 selected by Baeza-Carratalá (2011, fig. 2.3) and figured herein (Fig. 12.1–12.3), deposited at the Paleontological Museum of Murcia, Spain (JdC collection). Middle–late Pliensbachian from the Cerro de La Cruz of La Romana (Alicante, Spain). Upper member of the Gavilán Formation.

Occurrence

This species is endemic to the Eastern Subbetic Domain, and it is recorded from the late Pliensbachian.

Description

This is a large-sized multicostate rhynchonellide that was erected as a new species endemic to the Subbetic area by Baeza-Carratalá (2011). It is pentagonal and wider than long in dorsal outline. The beak is wide and suberect and the dorsal folding pattern consists of a trapezoidal and wide uniplication corresponding with a well-marked ventral sulcus. Ribbing pattern consists of 16–23 densely packed, acute, and triangular ribs (5–8 on the dorsal fold) without bifurcation.

Material

Six articulated specimens sampled from Cerro de La Cruz-1 (1 DCTMA; 2 Peiró collection, MUPE) and Cerro de La Cruz-2 (3 DCTMA), supplemented by 16 articulated specimens from the JdC Collection (Moleta de Togores outcrop).

Remarks

Because the internal structure remains unknown owing to inadequate material for making serial sections, the beak features, folding pattern, presence of wide smooth areas separating the dorsal median fold from both flanks, and the very remarkable ventral sulcus have been considered as discriminant criteria for the provisionally tentative assignation to the genus Salgirella. Additionally, partial sectioning of fragmentary material has not conclusively revealed clear information about the pattern of the fibers concerning the shell microstructure.

This taxon can be unambiguously distinguished from its apparent congeneric relatives due to the consistently greater size, the markedly trapezoidal dorsal fold, and the numerous and more densely packed ribs. Comparable forms can be found only in the widely interpreted Rhynchonella gr. variabilis, which is considered a nomen dubium and should be revised.

Results

Morphometric analysis carried out on the dataset allows for establishment of a systematic scheme for the Pliensbachian–Toarcian peri-Iberian Wellerelloidea. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) provide a better understanding of the morphological variability within the peri-Iberian Wellerelloidea and the potential relationships in this group (Fig. 13). Among all dimensional features considered, the main biometric parameters (L, W, T), number of ribs (R, Rf), data related to smooth areas alongside the median fold (dpi, dr), and the height and width of the fold (fh, wt, wb) are the more significant criteria to perform these analyses.

Figure 13. Morphometrical scatter plots of the studied wellerelloid specimens. (1) Morphospaces defined by the two main axes of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) applied to the Cirpinae representatives of the peri-Iberian basins. (2) Morphospaces defined by the two main discriminant axes of the Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) applied to the same samples. In both analyses, scores are clustered in terms of taxonomical discrimination showing a diverse occupation of the morphospace. Dimensional vectors have been superimposed on the PCA and CVA values showing the main discriminating factors. Abbreviations as in Fig. 2.

The first two principal components obtained by the PCA (PC1 and PC2 axes) explain >88% of the variance within the data (Fig. 13.1), and accordingly have been considered as representing the variability of the group. If the dimensional vectors are superimposed on the PCA scatter plot (Fig. 13.1), several patterns emerge, as discussed below.

Cirpa briseis is located in a central position of the scatter plot, dominating the principal morphospace of the PCA, showing a great range of intraspecific variability related to the main biometric parameters (L, T, W), thus revealing a size-related distribution, but also differing from the other species of Cirpa by the folding pattern, acquiring higher-folded morphotypes (indicated for more negative values along PC2) and, in turn, showing fewer ribs than their congeneric individuals analyzed. Among the remaining species of Cirpa, the main discriminant factor along the PC2 axis is the ribbing pattern and, consequently, the number of ribs on the median fold (R, Rf), as shown in their distribution along the PC2 axis, because samples with more ribs score more positive values along this axis, progressively increasing along the series C. lucentina-C. planifrons-C. fallax (Fig. 13.1). Secondary discriminant factors in this series are the biometric values (e.g., representing Cirpa cf. C. slovenica and C. fallax) and the extreme dimensional forms of Cirpa with costation as the principal discriminant factor and wider-expanded shape than C. lucentina n. sp., C. subcostellata, and C. planifrons. Importance of the ribbing pattern and its densely packed arrangement as diagnostic criteria in discrimination of the studied species of Cirpa is apparent (Fig. 14).

Figure 14. Bivariate plot of width (W) vs. number of ribs (R) on the studied specimens. The graph shows a positive correlation of the number of ribs with the width in each species of Cirpa, as expected. Notice that there is not overlapping among different groups, validating the ribbing density as an appropriate diagnostic criterion, except for C. briseis and S. alberti, where some other criteria considered in the PCA and CVA analyses are involved.

The discriminant CVA analysis (Fig. 13.2) reinforces the influence of C. subcostellata, C. briseis, and C. lucentina n. sp. as the representative stock of the group, from which species assigned to Salgirella differ. Thus, S. alberti and S.? goicoecheai are located in the left half of the discriminant axis 1 and the younger species of Cirpa (C. fallax) occupies the right side of this axis. The scatter plot of variable loadings in the CVA shows ribbing density and folding pattern as the main discriminating features (Fig. 13.2). Discriminant analysis also reinforces the accuracy of the systematic splitting between the genera Cirpa and Salgirella based on differentiation of the median dorsal fold since Salgirella reaches higher values along the dimensional vector related to the development of smooth areas separating the median dorsal fold from the flanks of the shell (dpi, dr), which in turn results in a more pronounced median ventral sulcus.

The results of these morphometric analyses alongside details of the internal structures conducted in this work reveal useful diagnostic criteria to distinguish Cirpa and Salgirella, considered as possibly synonymous by some previous authors, and complement the work of previous authors (Moisseiev in Berg, 1947; Ager, 1958, 1959, 1967; Siblík, 1967, 1993a; Tchoumatchenko, 1989; Böhm et al., 1999; Alméras and Fauré, 2000; Manceñido et al., 2002; Dulai, 2003; Baeza-Carratalá, 2008; Siblík and Lobitzer, 2008; Vörös, 2014; among others).

Discussion

Lower Jurassic wellerelloids from the Iberian paleomargins

The basal stock of the wellerelloid cirpines in the Iberian paleomargins is integrated into the genus Calcirhynchia. The oldest occurrences of this genus were attributed to C. calcaria Buckman, 1918, and C. calcicosta (Quenstedt, 1852) from the early Sinemurian (Bucklandi–Semicostatum chronozones) in the Internal Subbetic of Sierra Harana (Pérez-López et al., 1993). Several species of Calcirhynchia proliferated in the brachiopod communities during the Sinemurian of the Internal and External Subbetic areas; thus, in the early–late Sinemurian of Sierra Gorda (Turneri–Raricostatum chronozones), Calcirhynchia hungarica (Böckh, 1874) and C. aff. C. rectimarginata (Vecchia, 1945) were recorded together with the first representatives of the genera Cirpa and Salgirella (C. subcostellata and S. alberti) (Fig. 15). Finally, in the late Sinemurian–earliest Pliensbachian (Raricostatum–Aenigmaticum chronozones) from the easternmost Subbetic domain, C. plicatissima (together with Prionorhynchia regia [Rothpletz, 1886]) dominated the multicostate rhynchonellide stock (Baeza-Carratalá, 2013; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2014) within a highly diversified assemblage.

Figure 15. Biostratigraphical distribution of the Lower Jurassic species attributed to Cirpa and Salgirella in the western Tethys. Stippled bars denote taxa recorded in the peri-Iberian paleomargins. Sources cited in the text. ETMEE in the early Serpentinum Chronozone indicates the extinction boundary, as the maximum impact of the Toarcian crisis.

A considerable amount of work remains to be done in the taxonomy of this basal multicostate stock, as previous authors considered (e.g., Tomašových, 2006; Vörös, 2009). This is especially apparent in species of the genus Calcirhynchia, as also observed in the Subbetic by the occasional adoption of open taxonomic nomenclature (e.g., C. aff. C. rectimarginata; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2018b) and the possible over-lumped attribution to C. plicatissima. This last taxon is a catch-all species reported widely in the western Tethys during the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian interval. Recent revisions to the taxonomic criteria of this group, such as the presence of planareas, interareas, and internal structure (Tomašových, 2006; Vörös, 2009), should be borne in mind to split several attributions to C. plicatissima into different species and genera, but this is beyond the scope of this study, mainly focused on their Pliensbachian–Toarcian counterparts and their possible evolution around the ETMEE.

Pliensbachian brachiopod assemblages underwent a notable turnover in the peri-Iberian platforms (at least in their Mediterranean margins) with respect to the previous Sinemurian–Pliensbachian transition communities (Baeza-Carratalá, 2013). Regarding cirpines, the prolific record of Calcirhynchia in the Sinemurian gave rise to a phyletic(?) within-family turnover. Thus, Calcirhynchia is not recorded again during Pliensbachian–Toarcian times and Wellerellidae is well represented by several species of the genus Cirpa (Fig. 15), with the conspicuous record of the pervasive Cirpa briseis (in the Subbetic and transitional Prebetic/Subbetic zones) and, to a lesser extent, by C. planifrons and C. cf. C. slovenica, together with two endemic species ascribed to the Betic Domain (Cirpa lucentina n. sp. and Salgirella? goicoecheai). Only Salgirella alberti overtook the renewal of ecospaces as a result of the compartmentalization of the seafloor (Sandy, 1995; cf., Vörös and Dulai, 2007; Baeza-Carratalá, 2013) that occurred in the Sinemurian-Pliensbachian transition (Fig. 15). Nevertheless, the occurrence of this species reveals a biostratigraphical gap from the middle Sinemurian to the late Pliensbachian in the peri-Iberian platforms (Fig. 15) while it was spread across several Pontic and Mediterranean basins, suggesting either a migration event or sampling bias in the Betic basins.

With respect to the peri-Iberian endemic cirpines, Cirpa lucentina n. sp. was previously attributed to Cirpa aff. C. latifrons, as discussed above, left in open nomenclature but clearly belonging to the genus Cirpa (Baeza-Carratalá, 2013, Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2016b). The comprehensive work by Tomašových (2006) on the Hettangian–Sinemurian Rhynchonella latifrons from the Western Carpathians and topotypic material of Rhynchonella latifrons Geyer, 1889, from the Alps, suggested erection of the genus Jakubirhynchia, supporting the separation of a new Cirpa constituent for the Subbetic representatives with younger biostratigraphic distribution.

Rodrigo (2011) reported a few specimens of Cirpa cf. C. briseis in the northern part of the Iberian Cordillera, but the external features, as well as the lack of data on the internal structure, make this attribution within the genus Cirpa uncertain. Thus, we consider it preferable to exclude such a single record from the analysis, awaiting further accurate data. In the northern basins around the Iberian Massif, C. briseis is recorded in the Asturian basin (Comas-Rengifo and Goy, 2010) in the Davoei-Margaritatus zones of the Pliensbachian.

Finally, Cirpa fallax is recorded in the Polymorphum Zone of the lower Toarcian from the Lusitanian Basin (aff., Alméras, 1996; Comas-Rengifo et al., 2013, 2015), associated with the koninckinid fauna, representing the last Wellerellidae prior to their extinction in the ETMEE interval (Fig. 15). This last stock of cirpines could have reached northern basins, such as Normandy where Rhynchonella fallax Deslongchamps, 1862, was formerly recorded in the early Toarcian (see Alméras, 1996, p. 8).

Paleobiogeographic distribution in the western Tethys and implications around the ETMEE

The Lower Jurassic record of Cirpa and Salgirella shows a widespread paleogeographic distribution throughout all the western Tethys biochoremas (Fig. 16), but by evaluating the biostratigraphic occurrences of the different taxa in each Tethyan basin, the ancestral source, radiation pattern, and progression of the diversification of these cirpines can be understood.

Figure 16. Paleobiogeographical distribution of the last wellerelloid representatives. (1) Paleomap around the ETMEE (182 Ma), showing the location of the western Tethys localities in a global context. (2) Paleogeographical distribution of Cirpa and Salgirella in the Tethys Ocean for the Sinemurian–Toarcian interval to better understanding the origin, diversification, and radiation of both genera in the western Tethyan basins (all the sources cited in the text). Occurrences plotted on an Early Jurassic paleomap, slightly modified after Bassoullet et al. (1993).

Salgirella initially was restricted to the most intra-Mediterranean Subprovince (sensu Vörös, 2016; Vörös et al., 2019). Salgirella alberti, along with the possible congeneric Sinemurian S.? magnicostata represent the earliest occurrence in this region (Fig. 16), mainly from the Northern Calcareous Alps and the Transdanubian Ranges (e.g., Geyer, 1889; Vörös et al., 2003; Vörös and Dulai, 2007; Siblík and Lobitzer, 2008; Mandl et al., 2010). In this core of the Mediterranean region, Salgirella would be a constituent of the multicostate rhynchonellide stock, representing the brachiopod faunal recovery in the aftermath of the end-Triassic mass extinction event, since several tentative records were attributed to Salgirella cf. S. alberti in the Hettangian-Sinemurian from the Transdanudian Ranges (Dulai, 1998, 2003; Vörös and Dulai, 2007). As early as the middle-late Sinemurian, the distribution of the type species of the genus, S. alberti, had spread to the peri-Mediterranean Subprovince, as reported in the Internal Subbetic by Baeza-Carratalá et al. (2018b).

The central pivotal position of the Alpine/Hungarian Mediterranean ancestral source area enabled east- and westward migration of Salgirella in the Pliensbachian, as denoted by the eastern occurrences of S. alberti in Crimea and Caucasus (Moisseiev, 1936; Ruban and Vörös, 2015) and Turkey (Vörös, 2014) from the Pontic Bioprovince (Vörös et al., 2019) and, in turn, by those from the Tell (Dareste de la Chavanne, 1920) in the westernmost African margins (Atlas Subprovince sensu Vörös et al., 2019). The westward dispersal of Salgirella may have been facilitated by several stepping-point epioceanic areas (Fig. 16) such as the Trento platform (Böse and Schlosser, 1900), Toscana (Fucini, 1895), and Umbria (Principi, 1910), but some of these attributions are ambiguous, as indicated above in the synonymy list of S. alberti. The radiation of Salgirella never reached the epicontinental platforms of the broad Euro-Boreal Bioprovince (Fig. 16). The diversification and migration of this genus always occurred in epioceanic habitats.

A comparable initial homeland is inferred for the genus Cirpa. The intra-Mediterranean records from the Transdanubian Ranges and Northern Calcareous Alps are the more ancient occurrences of the genus worldwide (Figs. 15, 16), being typified by C. planifrons in the Hettangian–Sinemurian from Hungary (Ormós, 1937; Dulai, 2003; Vörös and Dulai, 2007) and the Alps (Siblík, 1993a; Böhm et al., 1999; Mandl et al., 2010). This species shows a continuous record throughout the Sinemurian and is coeval with C. subcostellata and C.? subfurcillata (Böse, 1897) in both intra-Mediterranean areas (Böse, 1897; Vörös and Dulai, 2007; Mandl et al., 2010), with both latter species reaching the Pliensbachian age (Vörös and Dulai, 2007; Vörös, 2009). Hence, one can deduce that the first diversification episode of Cirpa took place in its native area, because, apart from the three mentioned species, C. fronto also occurred in the late Sinemurian of the Transdanubian Ranges (Vörös and Dulai, 2007).

An initial westward radiation episode of the genus Cirpa occurred in the Sinemurian, since C. subcostellata is recorded in the middle-late Sinemurian from the peri-Mediterranean Subprovince (Betics; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2018b) and C. fronto, C. planifrons, and C. subcostellata occurred in the late Sinemurian at the African margins (Alméras et al., 2007). The timing of the eastward migration of Cirpa in the Sinemurian is unclear because the record of C. kiragliae Ager, 1959, in Turkey is referred to the late Sinemurian–early Pliensbachian (Ager, 1959; Vörös, 2014).

In the Pliensbachian, both the pervasive C. briseis and C. fronto rapidly colonized the Western Tethys Ocean as a whole, even over the epicontinental seas of the Euro-Boreal Province, consequently leading to the maximum diversity and expansion of Cirpa. The worldwide Pliensbachian dispersal of Cirpa briseis reached regions as paleogeographically diverse as the Lombardian Alps (Parona, 1884; Sacchi Vialli and Cantaluppi, 1967); western Sicily (Gemmellaro, 1874; Di Stefano, 1891); Trento platform (Böse and Schlosser, 1900; Benigni, 1978); Pyrenees?, Aquitaine Basin, and the French Central Massif (Alméras and Elmi, 1987; Alméras and Fauré, 2000, 2013); Betic Ranges (Baeza-Carratalá, 2013; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2016b); the African Tell (Dareste de la Chavanne, 1920) and Algeria (Alméras et al., 2007); the Northern Alps (Vörös et al., 2003; Mandl et al., 2010); the Asturian basin (Comas-Rengifo and Goy, 2010); Turkey (Vörös and Kandemir, 2011) or Mecsek (Vörös, 1997); among many others.

In this diversity maximum, the western stock is represented (apart from C. briseis) by several Mediterranean taxa tentatively attributed to Cirpa, such as C.? delottoi (Dal Piaz, 1907) near the Trento Platform, C.? latissima (Fucini, 1895) in the Toscana region, C.? eleutheria (Di Stefano, 1891) and C.? iphimedia (Di Stefano, 1891) in W-Sicily, and now C. lucentina n. sp. in the Betic Ranges. The westernmost records are found in the Atlas Subprovince with the cosmopolitan C. briseis and C. fronto together with C. subcostellata (Alméras et al., 2007).

In the Western Carpathians, closer to the intra-Mediterranean core, Pliensbachian Cirpa is represented by C. slovenica Siblík, 1967, whereas the Pontide diversification eastwards resulted in C. langi and C. borissiaki (Moisseiev, 1934) occurring in Bulgaria, Crimea, North-Caucasus, and Turkey (e.g., Moisseiev, 1934; Tchoumatchenco, 1989; Vörös and Kandemir, 2011; Vörös, 2014; Ruban and Vörös, 2015), plus C. alkayae Vörös, 2014, and C. kiragliae (Ager, 1959; Vörös, 2014) in Turkey.

The Euro-Boreal diversification involved C. briseis, C. langi (Spinatum Zone from SW-England basins; Ager, 1958), and presumably C.? minor (Rau, 1905) and C.? major (Rau, 1905) in SW-Germany.

In the peri-Iberian platforms system, during the Pliensbachian maximum dispersal, the absence of cirpines is noteworthy in the widely documented prolific brachiopod assemblages from the Iberian Ranges (Fig. 16). Actually, cirpines colonized the Mediterranean South-Iberian (Betic Ranges) and the proto-Atlantic (Portugal and Asturian basins) paleomargins, either via the Lusitanian seaway or, more likely, via the epicontinental French-Pyrenean basins.

In this Pliensbachian diversity peak, expanded migration of Cirpa representatives could have occurred through the Hispanic Corridor, as noted by Manceñido (2002). Thus, Andean and Australasian occurrences of Cirpa were recorded in the late Pliensbachian somewhat later than the Tethyan occurrences (Manceñido, 2002), such as Cirpa seranensis (Wanner and Knipscheer, 1951) from East Seram (Manceñido and Dagys, 1992, and references therein) or Cirpa sp. (Pliensbachian–Early Toarcian) from the Neuquen Basin (Manceñido, 1990). On the other hand, Manceñido et al. (2002) regard some species assigned to Vincentirhynchia from New Caledonia and New Zealand (MacFarlan, 1992) as possible constituents of the genus Cirpa. In this sense, even though some external features of V. uitoeensis (MacFarlan, 1992) can fit into the generic concept of Cirpa herein considered, the broader and shallower fold (even rectimarginate in some other species), the presence of divided hinge plates, and the well-defined median septum supported by a deep septalium raise questions in these latest Triassic–Early Jurassic records.

The youngest occurrence of the genus is marked by Cirpa fallax (Toarcian, Polymorphum Zone) from the Lusitanian Basin (cf., Alméras, 1996; Comas-Rengifo et al., 2013, 2015) and Normandy (Deslongchamps, 1862). The report of Rh. fallax (Rudirhynchia fallax as formerly suggested by Ager, 1958, 1962) in the Jamesoni Zone from the British basins, turned out to be a species of Prionorhynchia (Ager, 1967; Alméras, 1996). On the other hand, the presence of rimmed foramen and a clear, even bifurcate, dorsal median septum described in Cirpa fromontae Craig, 2002, from the early Bajocian of Western Australia (Craig, 2002) would require a different generic attribution.

Substantiating the paleobiogeographical evidence, the Mediterranean origin of both Salgirella and Cirpa can be ascertained, but while the diversification of Salgirella took place in epioceanic habitats, speciation of Cirpa also occurred in epicontinental habitats, colonizing the Euro-Boreal Bioprovince, until their extinction in the ETMEE, just prior to the onset of the hyperthermal warming occurred in the basal Serpentinum Chronozone (García Joral et al., 2011; Gómez and Goy, 2011; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2018a; among many others).

Contribution to the phyletic relationship of wellerelloids prior to and after the ETMEE

The integrated internal structure/morphometrical external analyses performed on the peri-Iberian Pliensbachian cirpines and their distribution across the western Tethys allow us to evoke previous phyletic schemes in this group in the light of the new taxonomic data.

The progressive succession of the evolutionary lineage Calcirhynchia → Cirpa/Salgirella in the Early Jurassic seems apparent. Among the cirpine representatives, the mainly Hettangian–Sinemurian Calcirhynchia (even though some of them also reached the Pliensbachian, mostly in the Mediterranean Province; e.g., C. hungarica, C.? zugmayeri [Gemmellaro, 1874], or C. ex gr. plicatissima) were replaced by species of Cirpa and Salgirella in the Pliensbachian–early Toarcian, prior to the definitive extinction of Wellerelloidea in the ETMEE.

Baeza-Carratalá and García Joral (2020) inferred a relationship between some structural features and resilience of several groups of rhynchonellides around crisis events. The eurinoid/ribbed/septifal rhynchonellide morphogroup, with cirpines standing among their constituents, typified a resilient pattern in epicontinental habitats. In fact, Cirpa fallax is one of the very few large and multicostate rhynchonellides that reached levels preceding the ETMEE in the western Tethys basins (García Joral et al., 2018).

At this point, one can expect that environmental perturbations around the ETMEE entailed extinction of multicostate rhynchonellides with similar internal structure and external features. However, this structural pattern persisted through the early Toarcian crisis through the genus Pseudogibbirhynchia, which is one of the typical representatives of the often-diminished brachiopod assemblages of the late Toarcian–Aalenian from epicontinental areas (Alméras, 1996; Andrade, 2006; García Joral and Goy, 2009; Andrade et al., 2016). In fact, a plausible connection between cirpines and the genus Pseudogibbirhynchia may be proposed. The phyletic relationship between Cirpa and Pseudogibbirhynchia goes back for a long time and was formerly envisaged by Ager (1962, p. 110), who suggested that Cirpa was very probably the direct ancestor of Pseudogibbirhynchia. Ager (1962) compared several species within both genera, remarking on the similarity of the crural architecture and the presence of double deltidial plates. Alméras (1996) undertook revision of the Portuguese Pseudogibbirhynchia, also alluding to the similarity between the external and internal structure of both genera. Actually, Pseudogibbirhynchia and Cirpa were formerly assigned to the Family Wellerellidae, Subfamily Cirpinae, by several authors (e.g., Ager, 1965; Rousselle, 1973; Alméras, 1996; Alméras et al., 2007, 2014; among others), and subsequently separated, even at the Superfamily level (Cirpa = Wellerelloidea; Pseudogibbirhynchia = Pugnacoidea). This systematic question was outlined again by Baeza-Carratalá and García Joral (2020) who, when analyzing the rhynchonellide morphogroups around critical post-Paleozoic events, clustered several ribbed Basiliolidae such as Pseudogibbirhynchia together with wellerelloids such as Cirpa, Salgirella, or Calcirhynchia on the basis of their crural development, costation, and microstructure of the shell. Certainly, except for the presence of fused hinge plates in Cirpa and particular differences in the beak features, Pseudogibirhynchia and Cirpa share most of their generic diagnostic criteria, such as the strengthened deltidial plates (even double in Cirpa), hamiform crural development, eurinoid microstructure of the secondary layer of the shell, short to absent median septum, uniplicate anterior margin, and multicostate and often bifurcate ribbed valves.

Bearing in mind the morphotype of the last representatives of the genus Cirpa, typified by Cirpa fallax, a possible connection between this taxon and the post-ETMEE stock of Pseudogibbirhynchia can be postulated. In fact, Alméras (1996), in the absence of information on internal shell structures, considered the species Rh. fallax (Deslongchamps) from Portugal as belonging to Pseudogibbirhynchia. As a matter of fact, by analyzing the intraspecific variability of the specimens depicted as Pseudogibirrynchia fallax by Alméras (1996), they properly fit in the concept of the post-ETMEE stock of Pseudogibbirhynchia (e.g., flattened outline, more densely packed ribs than the typical pattern of Cirpa, occasionally bifurcate ribs), but have a higher fold than the standard morphotypes of Pseudogibbirhynchia. However, serial sections of the Portuguese specimens from the same region (Fig. 7) clearly revealed fused hinge plates, absence of dorsal median septum and septalium, and double deltidial plates, among other characters, which led Comas-Rengifo et al. (2013, 2015) to place Rh. fallax in the genus Cirpa. It can be pointed out that Cirpa fallax represents the last recorded occurrence of the genus Cirpa prior to the ETMEE, and due to their evident internal and external analogy with several post-extinction Pseudogibbirhynchia species (e.g., P. jurensis [Quenstedt, 1858], P. bothenhamptonensis [Walker, 1892], P. mutans [Rothpletz, 1886]), one can postulate that C. fallax represented, either the link between the pre-extinction Cirpa and the post-ETMEE Pseudogibbirhynchia stock well developed in the repopulation interval in the peri-Iberian basins (García Joral et al., 2011), or a Lazarus taxon capable of reappearing after the collapse habitats for the rhynchonellides, as a result of the hyperthermal maximum that occurred in the extinction boundary (García Joral et al., 2011, 2018; Baeza-Carratalá et al., 2017, 2018a).

The combination of some internal characters (hinge plate development, straightened deltidial plates, etc.) could lead to misinterpretations in the unusual attributions to the genus Cirpa in the Bajocian from remote paleobiogeographic domains, such as Cirpa fromontae from Western Australia (Craig, 2002) with a patent (even bifurcate) dorsal median septum, or Cirpa himalaica (Jin et al., 1976) from China, which proved to be a new genus after a detailed systematic revision (Shi and Yang, 1990).

In contrast with this phyletic hypothesis, it should be taken into account that the earliest record so far known of the genus Pseudogibbirhynchia is P. globosa Siblík, 1967, in the uppermost Pliensbachian from Slovakia, and the first occurrences of the type species P. moorei reported in Somerset (e.g., Ager, 1962) in the “Junction Beds” (Spinatum–Tenuicostatum zones), younger than the koninckinid fauna. Pseudogibbirhynchia moorei from Dorset (Ager, 1962) has the typical cirpine internal structure, even the double deltidial plates (Ager, 1962, text-fig. 67), similar to C. fallax. Some pre-ETMEE records have been attributed to Pseudogibbirhynchia, such as the upper Pliensbachian Pseudogibbirhinchia sp. Benigni, 1978, from the Trento platform, but its coarse and sparsely packed ribbing pattern would suggest affinities with other genera. Similarly, the upper Sinemurian Rh. moghrabiensis Dubar, 1942, from Morocco, shows similar internal structure and costation, but the great convexity of both valves and the rounded outline of the anterior margin are not conclusive, because these features are not representative for the genus Pseudogibbirhynchia.

Thus, Pseudogibbirhynchia, well established in the recovery interval in the upper Toarcian–Aalenian from Spain, Portugal, the Atlas, and the Alps (Rousselle, 1973; García Joral, 1993; Andrade, 2006; García Joral and Goy, 2009; Andrade et al., 2016), could represent continuity of the eurinoid/septifal/ribbed stock, post-ETMEE, and therefore the close evolutionary relationship between Cirpa and Pseudogibbirhynchia seems to be feasible.

Conclusions

Superfamily Wellerelloidea represents a long-ranging rhynchonellide clade inhabiting different Paleozoic and Mesozoic habitats. The last representatives of this clade (Subfamily Cirpinae) in the Early Jurassic typify a pervasive pattern of colonization of both epicontinental and epioceanic areas in the western Tethys.

Around the ETMEE, the last genera of this group (Salgirella and Cirpa) became extinct. They share a Mediterranean origin, but diversification of Salgirella occurred in epioceanic habitats in a twofold pathway (east- and westwards), even passing through bioprovince boundaries, whereas speciation of Cirpa also was completed in epicontinental habitats within the Euro-Boreal Bioprovince, until their extinction in the ETMEE, just prior to the onset of the severe warming occurred in the basal Serpentinum Zone. Ecological perturbations in the first stages of ETMEE led to the migration of wellerelloids towards the proto-Atlantic margin (just as occurred with other brachiopod clades, such as Athyridida, Norelloidea, or Spiriferinida), colonizing westernmost, probably colder habitats, to escape the hyperwarming event.

It has been substantiated that the rhynchonellide eurinoid/septifal/ribbed morpho-group was resilient around ecological crises in epicontinental areas. Thus, wellerelloids are the only large rhynchonellides in the extinction interval in many areas. The eurinoid/septifal/ribbed morpho-group represented by Cirpinae also is recorded in this area after the extinction boundary through the genus Pseudogibbirhynchia. A possible phyletic relationship has been argued between the last pre-ETMEE representative of Cirpinae (Cirpa) and post-ETMEE Pseudogibbirhynchia taxa.

A new species of rhynchonellide (Cirpa lucentina) is erected and the Cirpinae taxa around the ETMEE from the peri-Iberian paleomargins are taxonomically revised. The nominal species, Rhynchonella fallax (Deslongchamps), formerly assigned to different genera, is now confirmed as belonging to the genus Cirpa. Likewise, morpho-biometrical and internal structure analyses support the validity of taxonomic separation between the genera Cirpa and Salgirella, adding new supplementary diagnostic criteria for this purpose.