A bryozoan fauna from the Mississippian (Tournaisian and Viséan) of Belgium

Abstract

© 2017 Elsevier Masson SASEleven bryozoan species are described from the Mississippian of southern Belgium, including one new species, Atactotoechus vaulxensis, and one species left in open nomenclature (Stenophragmidium sp.). From this fauna, four species are restricted to the Tournaisian stage, and seven occur in the Viséan. The fauna is mainly small-sized, represented by branched ramose, encrusting and reticulate growth forms. Bryozoans in the Mississippian of southern Belgium preferred deeper, clay-rich environments. The identified bryozoan species are mainly distributed within the European basin, with some similarities with the Mississippian faunas of Siberia and Kazakhstan.