A new species of Lorrettina (dokimocephalid trilobite) from the Iverian (Cambrian, Jiangshanian) of the Amadeus Basin, Northern Territory, Australia

Abstract

A previously unreported dokimocephalid trilobite, Lorrettina waterhousei sp. nov., is described herein from the Iverian (Jiangshanian, Cambrian) upper Goyder Formation, Amadeus Basin, central Australia. This is the first definitive biostratigraphic evidence for rocks of an Iverian (Jiangshanian) age in the Amadeus Basin. Correlation is made with the Chatsworth Limestone (=Gola beds) of the neighbouring Georgina Basin in Australia, as well as internationally to China, based on the generic occurrence. The biostratigraphic age of the unit is also supported by previous carbon isotope chemostratigraphy, further strengthening the interpretation.

Patrick M. Smith [[email protected]], Palaeontology Department, Australian Museum Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, 2010, Australia and, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia.

Keywords:

• East Gondwana
• Late Cambrian
• Goyder Formation
• Jay Creek Limestone
• Furongian
• trilobite
• dokimocephalidae

Acknowledgements

I am indebted to the late Joyce Gilbert-Tomlinson and others for collecting the material in 1963. John Laurie and Natalie Schroeder (Geoscience Australia) assisted with collections access. Rachel Smith provided in logistical support for transport of specimens for study. Glenn Brock (Macquarie University) and John Paterson (University of New England) fostered my interest in the Amadeus Basin. Scott Morrison University of Oregon) supplied digital copies of older literature. The Alcheringa Editorial Board, John Laurie, John Paterson and Jim Jago (University of South Australia) provided constructive feedback and editing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).