LAST ORTHOTETID BRACHIOPODS FROM THE UPPERMOST PERMIAN OF SOUTH CHINA.

This paper describes nine brachiopod species (including two uncertain species) in eight genera of the Orthotetidina from the uppermost Changhsingian (latest Permian) of South China. They are the youngest silicified Permian brachiopods known in the world and the last representatives of the Orthotetida, a major brachiopod group that disappeared during the end-Permian mass extinction. Other than two uncertain species, all taxa are new, including Meekella don gluoensis, Perigeyerella guangxiensis, Ombonia capilla, Derbyia nigpi, Schuchertella fushuiensis, Streptorhynchus ovata, and Tropidelasma elongata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]