A REVISION OF BRYOZOANS FROM THE STRATOTYPE SECTIONS OF THE GZHELIAN STAGE (UPPER CARBONIFEROUS)

Abstract

The type collections of bryozoans described by M.I. Schulga-Nesterenko and N.A. Shishova from the stratotype sections of the Gzhelian Stage of the Upper Carboniferous are reviewed. The taxonomic composition of these fossils is represented by 37 species, which belong to 31 genera, 13 families, and 5 orders. These species are characterized by high endemism and phylogenetic continuity with the bryozoans of the Kasimovian Stage of the Russian Platform and the Asselian Stage of the southern Urals. Most of the genera are characterized by wide stratigraphic ranges and broad geographic distributions. A new species of the genus Cystodictya, C. absoluta, and a new genus, Antonoclema, with the type species Nikiforovella acutiporata Schulga-Nesterenko, 1955, are described from the Gzhelian assemblage.