The Anisian (Middle Triassic) brachiopods from the southern Qilian Mountains, north-western China

The Anisian (Middle Triassic) witnessed the diversification of brachiopods after the Permian/Triassic (P/Tr) extinction. The Anisian brachiopod fauna from the southern Qilian Mountains in north-western China has the highest taxonomic diversity at the species level among coeval faunas worldwide. Nevertheless, many taxa from this remote region remain poorly defined and therefore require emendation. Here we describe 23 species (including two uncertain species) in 15 brachiopod genera based on well-preserved carbonate and silicified specimens collected from the Anisian Dajialian and Qieermagou formations in Tianjun, southern Qilian Mountains. Two new genera (Crenulatomargus, Tianjunospina) and six new species (Costirhynchopsis xui, Crenulatomargus terebratuliformis, Schwagerispira elegans, Lepismatina? inusitata, Tianjunospina junheensis, Qilianoconcha circularis) are erected. The diagnoses of Triasorhynchia, Yangkongia, Sinucostella, Aequspiriferina, Qilianoconcha, and Parantiptychia are e...