Parastachyocrinus sloveniaensis, Ausich & Križnar & Paszcza & Hoşgör & Płachno & Salamon, 2024

Parastachyocrinus sloveniaensis sp. nov.

Figs. 4B View Fig , 5C, F View Fig .

1924 Erisocrinus malaianus , “Exemplar b”; Wanner 1924: 290, pl. 18: 22–24.

1943 Erisocrinus granulatus Wanner, 1924 , in part; Bassler and Moodey 1943: 459.

1948 Erisocrinus granulatus Wanner, 1924 , in part; Branson 1943: 192.

1949 Erisocrinus malaianus Wanner, 1924 “Exemplar f”; Wanner 1924: 290, pl. 3: 14.

1949 Erisocrinus malaianus Wanner, 1924 “Exemplar g”; Wanner 1924: 290, pl. 3: 15–17.

1973 Parastachyocrinus malaianus Wanner, 1924 , in part; Webster 1973: 195.

2014 Parastachyocrinus malaianus Wanner, 1924 , in part; Webster and Webster 1973: 2014.

ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:105458F9-A6EA-4AAB-BB

C8-00640946DDD2.

Etymology: After Slovenia, from where the species is recognized.

Type material: Holotype: GMJ: PAL-0000369 , moderately preserved aboral cup . Paratype: GMJ: PAL-0000371 , moderately preserved aboral cup .

Type locality: Near Dovje, Slovenia.

Type horizon: Trogkofel Group, Permian, Cisuralian, middle to upper Artinskian.

Material. — Type material and PMSLJ Ba373, moderately preserved aboral cup from the type locality and horizon .

Diagnosis. —Aboral cup symmetrical, aboral cup shape very low bowl, circular to subcircular to subpentalobate aboral cup shape in basal view, smooth aboral cup plate sculpturing, aboral cup plate sutures slightly to moderately impressed, basal concavity present (as known), infrabasal plates not confined to basal concavity (as known), infrabasal plates not visible in lateral view, basal plates slightly to moderately convex, spines or nodes not on basal plates, radial plates slightly to moderately convex, spines or nodes not on radial plates.

Measurements. —GMJ:PAL-0000369: ACH, 19.0; ACW, ~40.0; GMJ:PAL-0000371: ACW, 40.0*.

Description. —Aboral cup symmetrical very low bowl shape, circular to subcircular aboral cup shape in basal view, height width ratio ~0.42; plates broadly convex, smooth sculpturing, plate sutures slightly to moderately impressed. Infrabasal circlet confined to a shallow basal concavity, proximal column covers ~50% of infrabasal circlet, not visible in lateral view; infrabasal plates five, equal in size as known not confined to basal concavity (as known). Basal circlet visible in lateral view; basal plates five, pentagonal, smaller than radial plates, wider than high, slightly to moderately convex, spines or nodes not on basal plates. Radial plates presumably five, pentagonal, ~2.0 times wider than high. Radial facets plenary, horizontally oriented as known, articular ridge probably across full width of facet, but other details of radial facet unknown. No posterior interray plates in external wall of aboral cup. Oral surface, anal sac, and arms unknown. Proximal column circular, lumen circular, other details unknown.

Remarks. — Two specimens are definitely assigned to P. sloveniaensis sp. nov. Both are aboral cups, and most aboral cup characters are known. Parastachyocrinus sloveniaensis sp. nov. is a species of Parastachyocrinus with a symmetrical aboral cup and smooth aboral plate sculpturing. It is differentitated from other Parastachyocrinus species with these two attributes because P. malaianus has an aboral cup shape very low bowl, subcircular aboral cup shape in basal view, aboral cup plate sutures strongly impressed, basal concavity present, infrabasal plates not confined to basal concavity, infrabasal plates not visible in lateral view, basal plates strongly convex, spines or nodes present or absent on basal plates, radial plates strongly convex, spines or nodes present or absent on basal plates; P. inflatus has an aboral cup shape very low bowl, pentalobate aboral cup shape in basal view, aboral cup plate sutures very strongly impressed, basal concavity present, infrabasal plates confined to basal concavity, infrabasal plates not visible in lateral view, basal plates very strongly convex, spines or nodes not on basal plates, radial plates very strongly convex, spines or nodes not on basal plates; and P. wanneri has an aboral cup shape low to medium bowl, circular to subcircular aboral cup shape in basal view, aboral cup plate sutures not impressed, basal concavity absent (as known), infrabasal plates confined(?) or not confined to basal concavity, infrabasal plates visible or not visible in lateral view, basal plates slightly to strongly convex, spines or nodes not on basal plates, radial plates slightly to strongly convex, spines or nodes not on basal plates. In contrast, P. sloveniaensis sp. nov. has an aboral cup shape very low bowl, circular to subcircular to subpentalobate aboral cup shape in basal view, aboral cup plate sutures slightly to moderately impressed, basal concavity present (as known), infrabasal plates not confined to basal concavity (as known), infrabasal plates not visible in lateral view, basal plates slightly to moderately convex, spines or nodes not on basal plates, radial plates slightly to moderately convex, spines or nodes not on radial plates.

The plate structure of the aboral cup in Fig. 4B View Fig is uncertain because of the lack of a defined infrabasal circlet with defined infrabasal plates, which was definitely present. It is not clear if individual infrabasal plates existed or if infrabasal plates are fused. A more probable explanation is that an isolated plate from another crinoid specimen is lodged in the basal concavity and obscures the infrabasal plates. Because of the similarity of the basal and radial plates of Fig. 4B View Fig , this specimen is questionably assigned to P. sloveniaensis sp. nov.

All three specimens attributed to Parastachyocrinus sloveniaensis sp. nov. appear to have been variously weathered, so the plate sculpturing may be a question. However, plate sculpturing is considered smooth until better specimens can be collected.

Stratigraphic and geographic range. —Trogkofel Group, Permian, Cisuralian, middle to upper Artinskian, near Dovje, Slovenia.

Genus Karavankecrinus nov.

ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:FC74C6BA-D4BA-42C6-809E-73AAC49BFC92

Type species: Karavankecrinus bedici gen. et sp. nov.; see below.

Etymology: In reference to the Karavanke Mountains, the part of the Alps from which this new crinoid was collected.

Diagnosis. —As for the type species.

Remarks.— Karavankecrinus bedici gen. et sp. nov. is a very distinctive eucladid crinoid because in at least two interrays a basal plate and an interradial plate are in sutural contact, thus separating adjacent radial plates. This occurs in many crinoids in the posterior interray only. However, this condition is only common in Ordovician–Mississippian Rhodocrinitoidea diplobathrid camerates. It is extremely rare in other clades. An exception is the Permian flexible crinoid Trampidocrinus Lane & Webster, 1966 from the Permian of Nevada, USA (see Lane and Webster 1966: fig. 6, pl. 2; Moore 1978: fig. 353.3). A flexible crinoid identification cannot be confirmed because of the relatively few preserved characters, and none are diagnostic for the Flexibilia . Almost uniformly, flexible crinoids have three infrabasal plates (one small and two large). In Karavankecrinus gen. nov., the number and position of infrabasal plates is unclear. Radiating “lines” that appear to be sutures are present, but more than three (and not five) potential sutures exist; and unlike the expectation these “lines” are not oriented in the typical fashion in which they bisect the superjacent basal plate. Thus, it is questioned whether these lines” represent sutures. Also, Trampidocrinus and many other flexible crinoids have well-developed patelloid processes between the radial plate and first primibrachial plate, as well as between higher brachial plates. A patelloid process is absent on the two, well-preserved radial plates on K. bedici gen. et sp. nov. We are unaware of any eucladid crinoid that has the radial plates separated in any interray except in the posterior interray. Although the specimen is incompletely known, this unique character justifies designation of a new genus and species: K. bedici .

Stratigraphic and geographic range. —Permian, Cisuralian, Artinskian, Slovenia.

Karavankecrinus bedici sp. nov.

Figs. 5E View Fig , 6B View Fig .

2013 Codiacrinacea Bather, 1890; Lach et al. 2013: 32, fig. 1.

ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:0BD46C5C-FCEC-4115-B43B-93E5BFA30881 .

Etymology: In honour of Jože Bedič (1923–2002) (Jesenice, Slovenia), who collected the holotype of this new species as well as some other specimens considered in this study.

Holotype: GMJ: PAL-0000011 ; moderately preserved aboral cup.

Type locality: Near Dovje, Slovenia.

Type horizon: Trogkofel Group, Permian, Cisuralian, middle to upper Artinskian.

Diagnosis. —Aboral cup very low to flat cone, infrabasal circlet almost entirely covered by proximal columnal, in at least two interrays adjacent radial plates are separated by a basal plate and first interradial plate in sutural contact.

Measurements. —ACW, 40.1.

Description. —Aboral cup very low to flat cone shape; plates gently convex, smooth sculpturing. Infrabasal circlet almost completely covered by proximal columnal, in shallow basal concavity, not visible in lateral view. Individual infrabasal plates very poorly defined. Basal circlet slightly visible in lateral view; basal plates five, hexagonal or heptagonal CD basal plate, smaller than radial plates, ~1.2 times wider than high; each radial plate in sutural contact with an interradial plate above ( Fig. 6B View Fig ). Radial plates five, pentagonal, ~2.0 times wider than high, separated in all interrays. Radial facets plenary, declivate, details of the radial facets unknown. CD interray plating presumably with only the radianal plate in the aboral cup. Radianal plate is directly above the CD basal plate along a wide suture and separates the C and D radial plates. In addition to the CD interray, plates in the radial circlet interrupted in other interrays with the basal plate in sutural contact with an interradial plate. Oral surface, anal sac, and arms unknown. Proximalmost columnal circular, lumen pentalobate, other details of column unknown.

Remarks. —The plating of this crinoid is highly unusual with the radial circlet interrupted in at least two interrays. One is presumed to be the CD interray, and if that is correct, the other definite example is in the BC interray ( Figs. 5E View Fig , 6B View Fig ).

Stratigraphic and geographic range. —Trogkofel Group, Permian, Cisuralian, middle to upper Artinskian, near Dovje, Slovenia.

Family Cromyocrinidae Bather, 1890

Genus Moapacrinus Lane & Webster, 1966

Type species: Moapacrinus rotundatus Lane & Webster, 1966 . Nevada, USA; Permian, Sakmarian?.

Included species: Moapacrinus cuneatus Webster & Jell, 1999 ; M.

dovjensis sp. nov.; M. inornatus Webster & Lane, 1967 ; M. rotundatus Lane & Webster, 1966 .

Remarks.— Moapacrinus was originally erected to include, among other things, eucladids with a very low bowl-shaped aboral cup, plenary radial facets, and one anal plate (radianal) partially in the aboral cup. Moapacrinus elexensis Pabian & Strimple, 1993 , has two posterior plates in the aboral cup and is not considered, herein, a species Moapacrinus . Also, Webster et al. (2009b) described Moapacrinus sp. nov. 1 and Moapacrinus ? sp. nov. 2 based on uncollectable specimens from British Columbia, Canada. Neither specimen is sufficiently preserved to confidently place them in Moapacrinus ; and, further, Moapacrinus ? sp. nov. 2 appears to have two posterior plates in the aboral cup. Because of morphological differences and poor preservation, M. elexensis Pabian & Strimple, 1993 ; Moapacrinus sp. nov. 1; and Moapacrinus ? sp. nov. are not considered in the discussion of M. dovjensis sp. nov. below.

Stratigraphic and geographic range. —Carboniferous, Pennsylvanian, Kasimovian and Permian, USA; Permian, uppermost Artinskian or lowermost Roadian, Australia; Permian, Cisuralian, middle Sakmarian?, Oman; Permian, Cisurialian, Asselian to Sakmarian, Slovenia.

Moapacrinus dovjensis sp. nov.

Fig. 5D View Fig .

1978 cup of sea lily; Ramovš 1978: 74, fig. 37.1.

ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:6FBF99D0-50F9-4A83-9DDF-14BF50D84A5F .

Etymology: In reference to the village of Dovje, Southern Karavanke Mountains, Slovenia, which is close to the locality where this specimen was collected.

Holotype: GMJ: PAL-0000014 a; moderately preserved aboral cup.

Type locality: Near Dovje, Slovenia.

Type horizon: Trogkofel Group, Permian, Cisuralian, middle to upper Artinskian.

Diagnosis. —Very low bowl-shaped aboral cup shape, outline of aboral cup in basal view slightly elliptical; smooth? aboral cup plate sculpturing; aboral cup plate sutures slightly depressed; presence or absence of basal concavity unknown; infrabasal circlet pentagonal; infrabasal plates not visible in lateral view; basal plates slightly higher than wide, orientation of distal basal plates angled upward, position of the maximum width of the basal plates at base of aboral cup; radial plate>2.5 times wider than high; radianal plate large, pentagonal, ~50% below top of radial plates; CD basal plate-radianal plate suture at an angle, arms unknown.

Measurements. —ACH. 19.7; ACW, 35.8.

Description. —Aboral cup very low bowl-shaped, height width ratio ~2.9, very slightly elliptical in outline from a basal view; plates broadly convex, smooth sculpturing, aboral cup plate sutures slightly impressed; presence or absence of basal concavity unknown. Infrabasals circlet pentagonal, not visible in lateral view, presumably five infrabasal plates. Basal plates five, hexagonal, smaller than radial plates, slightly higher than wide, orientation of distal basal plates angled upward, position of maximum width of basal plates at the base of the aboral cup. Radial plates presumably five, pentagonal, ~2.5 times wider than high. Radial facets not known. CD interray plating with only radianal in aboral cup; radianal plate large, pentagonal, ~50% below top of radial plates, angled suture between radianal and CD interray plates. Oral surface, anal sac, arms, and column unknown.

Remarks.— Moapacrinus dovjensis sp. nov. is known from a single aboral cup with the infrabasal circlet missing. However, the aboral cup shape and a single large posterior interray plate align this specimen with Moapacrinus . This new species is distinguished from species recognized herein as members of Moapacrinus because M. cuneatus has an outline of the aboral cup in basal view unknown; coarsely nodose aboral cup plate sculpturing; aboral cup plate sutures moderately to deeply impressed; basal concavity shallow; infrabasal circlet shape unknown; infrabasal plates not visible in lateral view; basal plates ~1.3 times wider than high, orientation of distal basal plates angled upward, position of the maximum width of the basal plates near base of aboral cup; radial plate ~1.8 times wider than high; radianal plate large, hexagonal, ~50% below top of radial plates; CD basal plate-radianal plate suture at an angle; distal primibrachial and first secundibrachial do not form a projection; smooth brachial sculpturing; brachials cuneate uniserial; M. inornatus has an outline of the aboral cup in basal view slightly elliptical; smooth aboral cup plate sculpturing; aboral cup plate sutures very slightly impressed; basal concavity narrow, deep; infrabasal circlet pentalobate; distal tips of infrabasal plates visible in lateral view; basal plates slightly wider than high or equidimensional, orientation of distal basal plates nearly vertical, position of maximum width of the basal plates well above base of aboral cup; radial plate>2.0 times wider than high; radianal plate large, hexagonal, ~67% below top of radial plates; CD basal plate-radianal plate suture horizontal; distal primibrachial and first secundibrachial form a projection; smooth brachial sculpturing; and brachials rectilinear uniserial; and M. rotundatus has an outline of the aboral cup in basal view circular; aboral cup plate sculpturing variable, nearly smooth, coarse nodes, or irregular wavy ridges; aboral cup plate sutures moderately impressed; basal concavity narrow and deep; infrabasal circlet pentagonal; infrabasal plates not visible in lateral view; basal plates wider than high, nearly vertical orientation of distal basal plates, position of the maximum width of the basal plates above the base of aboral cup; radial plate>2.0 times wider than high; radianal plate large, pentagonal, ~50% below top of radial plates; CD basal plate-radianal plate suture horizontal; distal primibrachial and first secundibrachial do not form a projection; transverse sculpturing on brachial; and brachials rectilinear uniserial. In contrast, M. dovjensis sp. nov. has an outline of the aboral cup in basal view slightly elliptical; smooth? aboral cup plate sculpturing; aboral cup plate sutures slightly impressed; presence or absence of basal concavity unknown; infrabasal circlet pentagonal; infrabasal plates not visible in lateral view; basal plates slightly higher than wide, orientation of distal basal plates angled upward, position of the maximum width of the basal plates at base of aboral cup; radial plate ~2.5 times wider than high; radianal plate large, pentagonal, ~50% below top of radial plates; CD basal plate-radianal plate suture at an angle; arms unknown.

Stratigraphic and geographic range. —Trogkofel Group, Permian, Cisuralian, middle to upper Artinskian, near Dovje, Slovenia.