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 by the use of serial sections and digital 3D reconstruction is presented. The method introduced is essential for the study of internal shell structures such as brachidia, or cardinalia, if computer tomography (CT) is not suitable or if a CT scanner is not available. A new species of Athyris of Givetian beds of Northwest Africa was selected to introduce 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 shows affinities to Western European and North American brachiopod faunas.