Data from: A new Givetian Athyridid species from NW Africa discovered by 3D reconstruction of shell morphology of internal molds

A new method of analyzing the internal shell morphology (including the
complete brachidium of internal molds) of articulated brachiopod shells
through the use of serial sections and digital three-dimensional
reconstruction is presented. The method introduced is essential for the
study of internal shell structures such as brachidia, or cardinalia, if
computed tomography (CT) is not suitable or if a CT scanner is not
available. A new species of Athyris from Givetian beds of Northwest Africa
was selected to exemplify this method. To compare this species with
figured serial sections in the literature, two-dimensional drawings of
grinding surfaces are provided. Athyris africana n. sp. is only preserved
as internal molds of articulated specimens. The new species is included in
the evolutionary lineage of the group around Athyris concentrica. The
faunal assemblage of A. africana n. sp. shows affinities to Western
European and North American brachiopod faunas.