Obliquorhynchia (gen. nov.): An asymmetric bra chiopod from the middle Danian Faxe Formation, Denmark

The diverse brachiopod fauna from the middle Danian cool-water coral mounds of the Faxe Formation, Denmark, includes the new genus Obliquorhynchia that exhibits an asymmetric folding of the frontal commissure, a rare feature in brachiopods. Two of the most abundant brachiopod species found in the Faxe Formation, ‘Rhynchonella’ flustracea and ‘Rhynchonella’ faxensis, are considered conspecific and are both referred to Obliquorhynchia. In the literature, the species name flustracea has been ascribed to von Schlotheim. However, the original species name proposed by von Schlotheim in his catalogue (1832, 65, no 62) was lustraceus. This remained a nomen nudum until von Buch (1834) published a description based on the material of von Schlotheim and changed the name to flustracea. The species is thus ascribed to von Buch. A lectotype for Obliquorhynchia flustracea (von Buch 1834) is designated and illustrated here.