Classification of Paleozoic Rhynchonellid Brachiopods

A major revision of Paleozoic rhynchonellid brachiopods is proposed. Seven new families include the Sphenotretidae, Niorhynicidae, Machaerariidae, Obturamentellidae, Aseptirhynchiidae, Petasmariidae, and Lambdarinidae. Diagnoses of 23 new subfamilies comprise the Hemitoechiinae, Ripidiorhynchinae, Sphaerirhynchiinae, Glossinulininae, Betterbergiinae, Beckmanniinae, Corvinopugnacinae, lowarhynchinae, Linguopugnoidinae, Fenestrirostrinae, Platyterorhynchinae, Gigantorhynchinae, Stenometoporhynchinae, Basilicorhynchinae, Axiodeaneiinae, Madarosiinae, Uncinulinellininae, Nipponirhynchiinae, Acolosiinae, Lambdarininae, Loborininae, Minyspheniinae, and Dzieduszyckiinae.