Eocene crinoids (Echinodermata) from Cava Boschetto near Chiampo (Veneto, north-eastern Italy)

Eocene crinoids

Abstract

A Lutetian (middle Eocene) crinoid assemblage from the Cava Boschetto outcrop, near the town of Chiampo (Veneto, north-eastern Italy) comprises cups of Conocrinus veronensis, Lessinicrinus suessi, Pseudoconocrinus elongatus, as well as columnals of Isocrinus archiaci. In addition, cups of three new genera (Chiampocrinus n. gen., Fabianicrinus n. gen. and Lessinicrinus n. gen.) are described, and an update of the systematics of conocrinids is proposed, resulting in the introduction of one new superfamily (Conocrinoidea) and three new families (Conocrinidae n. fam., Chiampocrinidae n. fam. and Paraconocrinidae n. fam.) and a redefinition of the genus Conocrinus. The present assemblage differs from other Eocene faunules in Italy especially in the presence of a greater number of species. Moreover, a comparison with important Eocene assemblages from the Pyrenees (France, Spain) shows significant differences in composition, because in the Pyrenees area the assemblages consist of a larger number of isocrinids and a smaller number of conocrinids.