Middle Cambrian pelecypods from the Anti-Atlas, Morocco

Abstract

A new species of the Early to Middle Cambrian pelecypod genus Pojetaia is reported from the early Middle Cambrian of the Moroccan Anti-Atlas with the new species Pojetaia sarhroensis. Arhouriella opheodontoides n. gen. and sp. is the first report of a Cambrian pelecypod with an amphidetic, slightly twisted and partly internal ligament and appears to represent a second order of pelecypods in the early Middle Cambrian. Preservation, environment and correlation are discussed. Species of Pojetaia are discussed in detail. Jellia is shown to be a junior synonym of Pojetaia. Hence, the species originally described under the names P. runnegari and Jellia ovata by Li and Zhou (1986) need to be renamed. Oryzaconcha He and Pei, 1985 is regarded as an invalid taxon. Other Cambrian pelecypods are reviewed briely.