Daviesiella destinezi (Vaughan), a Lower Carboniferous Index Fossil in North-West Ireland

Abstract

Daviesiella destinezi (Vaughan), a large concavo-convex brachiopod, is very common in some of the Lower Carboniferous limestones of North-West Ireland. It appears to be confined to the C2S1 subzone. Easily recognizable in the field, it is thus a useful index fossil of the subzone. As the previous descriptions of the species are far from complete, a detailed description of some unusually well-preserved specimens from Co. Fermanagh is given and an attempt is made to relate certain features of the morphology of the specimens to their environment.