Revision of the Cambrian Agnostina (Trilobita?) from Russia

Abstract

Cambrian genera and species of Agnostina (?Trilobita) found in Russia are revised. Agnostid trilobite species are used as index taxa in chronostratigraphic subdivisions of the traditional Middle and Upper Cambrian in both regional and global stratigraphic scales. The correlation of the regional and international stratigraphic schemes largely depends on the state of knowledge of the regional agnostid fauna. Therefore, an up-to-date revision of this group based on the Russian collections taking into account their global diversity is very timely. For this study we reexamined the type collections of agnostids, including the holotypes of species described by Russian authors. This paper contains new photographic images of the holotypes housed in Russian museums. The compiled data offered solutions for some difficult taxonomic problems of the families Agnostidae, Ptychagnostidae, Peronopsidae, and some genera of Pseudagnostidae, Diplagnostidae. Apart from listing the diversity, this paper serves as the basis for studying the biogeography and evolution of this interesting arthropod group.