LOWER CARBONIFEROUS CONODONTS FROM THE NORTHERN

YARROL BASIN, QUEENSLAND

by
E. C. DRUCE

SUMMARY
Fourteen conodont form-species referable to 10 form-genera from oolitic limestone
horizons in the Lower Carboniferous Rockhampton and Caswell Creek Groups of the
northern Yarrol Basin are described and figured. The faunas are of Tournaisian and
Visean age and can be correlated because of the presence of known European and North
American species. One new taxon, Taphrognathus capricornus sp. nov., is described and
figured. The Gudman Oolite is Tournaisian (upper cu I); the Gargoogie Oolite Member
is Lower Visean (cu II1l); the oolite horizon in the Caswell Creek Group equivalent
in the Southern area is Visean (cu IlIa) and an unnamed limestone horizon in the
Rockhampton Group is Tournaisian (cu Il,8/y).

INTRODUCTION

During 1966 a Bureau of Mineral Resources mobile field laboratory was

engaged in a micropalaeontological investigation of Palaeozoic rocks in the
northern Yarrol Basin, Queensland. The present study deals with the systematic
and stratigraphical importance of the conodonts recovered from Lower Carboni-
ferous rocks in the area (Fig. 1) . About 340 kilograms of limestone was
chemically disintegrated, yielding ::; total of 144 specimens referable to 10
form-genera and 14 form-species, of which one is new.

The results of studies carried out on Devonian faunas and the method of
operation of the field laboratory have already been published (Druce & Wilson,
1967; Druce, this Vol.). The conodont localities and faunas are given in the
appendix.

CARBONIFEROUS STRATIGRAPHY

Rockhampton Group
The type section of the Rockhampton Group (Rockhampton Series of Bryan
& Jones, 1946) is along Malchi Creek (Fig. 1). It was mapped in detail
by Fleming (1960), who defined it as extending from the Gudman Oolite
('Michelinia' Limestone of Hill, 1943) to the top of the Lion Creek Limestone
(Etheridge, 1900). The group is characterized by the development of oolitic
limestone at three stratigraphical levels; the Gudman Oolite, the Gargoogie
Oolite Member, and the Lion Creek Limestone. They are separated by
sequences of siltstone, mudstone, and sandstone (Kirkegaard et aI., 1966).
Apart from the limestone horizons exposure is poor and all samples collected
were isolated spot samples.
91
 150°00' 151°00'
p- .,,--Pz
CL! Permion
~ Carboniferous
Gcea! ,K~' ~ Middle to Upper Devonian
~ Silurian to Middle Devonlan
[=:fi::J Undifferentlated Palaeoloic
~ Plutonic Rocks
Geological boundary
Unconformity
Fault I fault interpreted
x rn Palaeontological sample No.
0(251 Radiometric age Ix 10 6 years)
Rood
o Town
Homestead
10 Miles

\D
N

,
'°'\(~
0

24°00'
~~
Fig. 1: Lower Carboniferous rocks in the northern Yarrol Basin: conodont localities(.
 The fauna from the Gudman Oolite consists of corals, brachiopods, goniatites,
gastropods, and conodonts. The fauna has affinities with the Schizophoria Zone
(Fleming, 1960), considered to be Upper Tournaisian by Maxwell (1953).
Whitehouse (1930) considered that the goniatites were of Lower Toumaisian
age. The conodonts are diagnostic. The p:enus Sivhonodella is restricted to the
Toumaisian in Germany (Voges, 1959) and the United States (Collinson et aI.,
1962), and to the Lower Tournaisian in the Bonaparte Gulf Basin (Druce,
1969). Polygnathus communis dentatus Druce is restricted and ranges from
the middle of the Siphonodella sulcata - Polygnathus parapetus Assemblage Zone
to the middle of the Siphonodella quadruplicata Assemblage Zone in the Burt
Range Formation in the Bonaparte Gulf Basin.

The Gudman Oolite can be correlated with the upper cuI and Lower cuIIa
Zones of Germany (Voges, 1959), with the middle Cleistopora Zone of Great
Britain (Rhodes et aI., 1969), and with the middle and upper Hannibal
Formation of the Upper Mississippi Valley.

The Gargoogie Oolite Member contains corals and conodonts. Fleming (1960)
records corals, including Lonsdalia, suggesting a Visean age. The only identifiable
conodonts recovered from this member are all referable to Taphrognathus
capncornis sp. novo which is also recorded from the Bonaparte Gulf Basin in
the Utting Ca1carenite of Lower Visean (cullS - ?culIIa) age as Taphrognathus
sp. (Druce, 1969). The genus Taphrognathus is confined to the Valmeyeran Series
in the USA (Rexroad, 1959). T. caprieornis sp. novo has also been recovered
from the Kolonga Creek Limestone, in the southern part of the Yarro1 Basin,
in association with Gnathodus texanus Roundy, which is known from the Upper
Valmeyeran Series of the USA (Collinson et al., 1962) and the cullS Zone of
Germany. The geographic occurrence of T. capricornus sp. novo is extensive in
the Yarrol Basin. It is known from oolite beds in the Ma1chi Creek, Limestone
Creek, and Craigilee Anticline areas; from the northern and central western
coasts of Long Island; and in oolitic limestones overlying the Lower Devonian
in the Glenmore district.

The Lion Creek Limestone contains corals; no conodonts were recovered.

The corals include Lithostrotion, which indicates an Upper Visean age.

An unnamed limestone horizon is developed as an oolite bed in the Limestone

Creek area (grid. ref. 320094). The conodonts include the following form-species:

Gnathodus delicatus Branson & Mehl

Hibbardella sp.
Lonchodina sp.
Ozarkodina aeuta (E. R. Branson)
Pseudopolygnathus nodomarginatus (Branson & Mehl)
P. cf. P. primus Branson & Mehl
P. triangulus Voges
Staurognathus crueiformis Branson & Mehl
93
 The age of this limestone is Upper Tournaisian (cull,B/y). Gnathodus delicatus
ranges from cull,B/y to cullS in Germany (Voges, 1959). Pseudopolygnathus
nodomarginatus (Branson & Mehl) occurs in the Bonaparte Gulf Basin in the
Septimus Limestone (Pseudopolygnathus nodomarginatus Assemblage Zone)
(Druce, 1969) and in the upper part of the Zaphrentis Zone of Great Britain
(Rhodes et al., 1969). Pseudopolygnathus triangulus Voges ranges from cuI
to cull,B/y in Germany (Voges, 1959) and Staurognathus cruciformis Branson
& Mehl is known from part of the Chappel Limestone, Texas (Rass, 1959)
considered to be early cull,B/y (Collinson et al., 1962).

STANDARD ROCKHAMPTON CASWELL CREEK

SECTION GROUP GROUP

H
LITTLE
LAACOfllVALE
FORMATION
- !.'}.~
0 "
..'"
z
Vl
;;

~l
GAAGOOGI[
OOLIT E
U> MEMBER
:::>
0
a::
'"u.

~
z
0

..
ID
a::
u
UNNAMED
LIMESTONE
HORIZON
a::
'"0,.
...J Z
~
Vl ~
<i
z u"
a::
:::>
0
I-

GUDMAN
OOLITE

-
"
u

M{P) 126

Fig. 2: Stratigraphic equivalence of the Rockhampton and Caswell Creek Groups.

Caswell Creek Group

The Caswell Creek Group was named by McKellar (1966) to include strata
exposed in the Caswell Creek area on the Monto 1:250,000 Sheet area. In
the type area it consists of the Bancroft, Splinter Creek, Dakiel, and Baywulla
Formations. In the Mount Larcom area on the Rockhampton 1: 250,000 Sheet
area the equivalent of the group consists of part of the Tarrawill Creek Beds,
the Gogong Creek Formation, and the Little Larcomvale Formation (Jell, 1961).
The sequence consists of dominant mudstone with shale, ar,enite, and oolite
beds (Kirkegaard et al., 1966).
94
 Samples collected from rocks mapped as equivalent to the Little Larcomvale
Formation (Jell, 1961) by Kirkegaard et aI. (1966) are of Visean age. The
presence of Gnathodus girtyi Hass and G. texanus Roundy, whose ranges overlap in
the cuIIIa Zone (Meischner, 1962), indicates a Middle Visean age.

SYSTEMATIC DESCRIPTIONS

Genus BRYANTODUS Ulrich & Bassler, 1926

Type species Bryantodus typicus Ulrich & Bassler.

BRYANTODUS sp.
(PI. 18, figs 4a, b)

No. of specimens: 1; CPC 7778 figured.

Description: The unit is broken: only the anterior bar and apical denticle are
preserved. The anterior bar is slightly depressed and deflected at its anterior
termination and bears 9 irregular, laterally compressed, fused denticles with
free chevron tips. In cross-section the bar is diamond-shaped, with a sharp
keel and inflated lateral walls. On the inner face of the medial part of the
bar a single denticle is developed on the edge of the inflation. The apical
denticle is short and blunt.

A small basal cavity is developed subapically and the unit bears a narrow
keel.

Remarks: The inflated anterior bar is characteristic of the genus Bryantodus;

the suggestion of dentition on the outer part of the bar is, however, reminiscent
of Elictognathus.

Genus GNATHODUS Pander, 1856

Type species Gnathodus mosquensis Pander.

GNATHODUS DELlCATUS Branson & Mehl, 1938

. (PI. 17, figs 1a-3c)

1938 Gnathodus delicatus Branson & Mehl, Univ. Mo. Stud., 13, 145, pI. 34, figs 25-27.
1938 Gnathodus perplexus Branson & Mehl, ibid., 145, pI. 34, fig. 24.
1939 Gnathodus texanus (Roundy); Cooper, J. Paleont., 13, 388, pI. 41, figs 26, 27.
1951 Gnathodus delicatus Branson & Mehl; Hass, Bull'. Amer. Ass. Petrol.. Geol.,
35, pI. 1, fig. 4.
1959 Gnathodus 'delicatus Branson & Mehl; Hass, U.S. geol. Surv. prof. Pap. 294-J, 394,
pI. 46, figs 3-7; pI. 48, figs 1-5, 8.
1959 Gnathodus delicatus Branson & Mehl; Voges, Palaont. Z., 33, 283, pI. 33 figs 31-33.
1964 Gnathodus delicatus Branson & Mehl; Rexroad & Seott, Indiana geol. Su'rv.
Bull. 30, 29, pI. 2, figs 4-6.
95
1966 GnatJzodus delicatus (sic); Burton, N. Mex. geol. Soc. 15th Ann. Field Cont·
Guidebook, Range chart.
1966 Gnathodus delicatus Branson & Mehl; Manzoni, G. Geol., 33, 474, pI. 59, figs
7, 9, 11.
1969 Gnathodus delicatus Branson & Mehl; Rhodes, Austin & Druce, Bull. Brit.
Mus. (nat. Hist.) Geol. Sup. 5, pI. 18, figs 12a-d.

No. of specimens: 4; CPC 7779-CPC 7781 figured.

Range: Upper cuII,B/y-cuII8.

Description: The platform is asymmetrical, the outer side being more inflated
than the inner, and is situated posteriorly. Both platforms bear nodose ornament;
on the inner platform it consists of a single row of nodes which increase in
size and height anteriorly; on the outer platform it consists of low irregular
nodes. The platform is bisected by the carina, which is continuous with the
free blade, and consists of a series of about 17 fused needle-like dentides
with free chevron tips.

In aboral view the basal cavity is situated beneath the platform, which is
formed by the flared cavity lips.

Remarks: Gnathodus delicatus Branson & Mehl ranges from the cuII,B/y
to the cuII8 Zone in Germany (Voges, 1959, table 1; Boger, 1961) and
throughout the Tn3 Zone in Belgium (Coni!, Lys & Mauvier, 1964). It is
known from the middle and upper Z Zone in Britain (Rhodes et aI., 1968)
and from the Siphonodella isosticha - S. cooperi Zone to the Bactrognathus-
Polygnathus communis Zone in the United States (CoIlinson et aI., 1962;
Rexroad & Scott, 1964) .

GNATHODUS GIRTYI Hass subsp. A

(PI. 17, figs 6a-c)

No. of specimens: 1; CPC 7782 figured.

Description: The anterior blade is broken on the single specimen recovered

from the Yarrol Basin. The platform is asymmetrical, the inner platform being
extremely narrow and the outer platform flared. The inner platform bears a
series of transverse ridges which, in the anterior, fuse with the carina nodes
and outer platform ridges to give longer transverse ridges. The outer platform
bears a row of nodes to the carina and a group of irregular nodes on the
posterior half of the platform extension.

In lateral view the carina is higher than the platform ornament. The basal
cavity extends beneath the whole platform.

Remarks: Rhodes, Austin, & Druce (1969, pI. 17, figs 5a-8d) described a
new subspecies, Gnathodus girtyi sonia, with additional nodes on the outer
96
platform cup. It is also present in the uppermost Visean and lowermost Namurian
strata in Eire (Collinson & Druce, unpubI.). The present specimen differs
from Gnathodus girtyi sonia in lacking the well developed transverse ridges
on the outer platform. Burton (1966, range chart) illustrates a specimen, very
similar to the present specimen which he places in Gnathodus bilineatus, from
the Lake Valley Formation of New Mexico. It is probable that both belong
to the same subspecies of G. girtyi, which is possibly a precursor of G. girtyi sonia.
Manzoni (1966) illustrates two specimens from the Carboniferous of the
Carnian Alps, northeastern Italy, which he refers to G. bilineatus (Roundy)
(pI. 59, fig. 4) and G. cf. texanus Roundy (pI. 59, fig. 10). His G. bilineatus
appears to be identical with G. girtyi sonia and his G. cL texanus is probably
referable to G. girtyi subsp. A.

GNATHODUS TEXANUS Roundy, 1926

(PI. 17, figs Sa, b)

1926 Gnathodus texallus Roundy, V.S. geol. Surv. prof. Pap. 146, 12, pI. 2, figs 7a,
b; 8a, b.
For complete synonymy see Druce, 1969, p. 63.

No. of specimens: 4; CPC 7783 figured.

Range: Lower Visean cull8 - cuIlla.

Description: The unit is broken, lacking an anterior blade. The platform

is narrow and lacks ornament apart from a large upstanding node on the
platform. The basal cavity extends beneath the whole platform.

Remarks: The earliest occurrence of Gnathodus texanus Roundy is in the

cull,8/y Zone of Germany (Voges, 1959). It ranges into the cullI Zone and
is known from the upper Burlington and Keokuk Formations of the Mississippi
Valley (Collinson et al., 1962) and the New Providence Shale of Indiana
(Rexroad & Scott, 1964) .

Genus OZARKODINA Branson & Mehl, 1933

Type species Ozarkodina typica Branson & MehI.

OZARKODINA ACUTA (E. R. Branson, 1934)

(PI. 4, figs Sa, b)

1934 Bryantodus acutus E. R. Branson, Vniv. Mo. Stud., 8, 325, pI. 28, fig. 28.
No. of specimens: 4; CPC 7784 figured.

Description: The unit is arched, with bars of equal length. The apical
denticle is massive and twice as wide as the bar denticles. The anterior bar
is deep and is depressed in the anterior quarter. The bar bears a series of
97
about 8 laterally compressed fused denticles. The posterior bar is slimmer
and deflected inward slightly and bears about 8 laterally compressed fused
denticles. The angle between the bars is about 150°.

A small ovate basal cavity is present beneath the apical denticle.

Remarks: Ozarkodina acuta (E. R. Branson) occurs in the Hannibal Formation,

of early Tournaisian age, in the upper Mississippi Valley (Branson, 1934) .

Genus POLYGNATHUS Hinde, 1879

Type species Polygnathus dubia Hinde.

POLYGNATHUS COMMUNIS DENTATUS Druce, 1969

(PI. 17, figs 4a, b)

1969 Polygnathus communis dentatus Druce, Bur. Mvner. Resour. Aust. Bull. 98, 95, pI. 18,
figs 13a-14.

No. of specimens: 3; CPC 7786 figured.

Range: Siphonodella sulcata - Polygnathus parapetus AZ. to Siphonodella

quadruplicata - S. cooperi AZ.

The specimens fall within the range of variability of P. communis dentatus

Druce.

Genus PSEUDOPOLYGNATHUS Branson & Mehl, 1934

Type species Pseudopolygnathus prima Branson & MehI.

PSEUDOPOLYGNATHUS NODOMARGINATUS (B. R. Branson, 1934)

(PI. 16, figs la-4d)

1934 Polygnathus nodomarginata E. R. Branson, Univ. Mo. Stud., 8, 310, pI. 25, fig. 10.
For complete synonymy see Druce, 1969, p. 113.

No. of specimens: 6; CPC 7787, 7789-91 figured.

Range: Pseudopolygnathus nodomarginatus AZ.

There is considerable variation in ornament between specimens regarded

as juveniles and those regarded as adults. The blade of juveniles tends to be
thickened to give an undenticulate or poorly denticulate platform. The adults
show a well developed platform with lateral nodes occasionally developed as
transverse ridges. In all cases the left platform, when viewed from the anterior,
extends farther anteriorly than the right platform. The specimen figured by
98
Burton (1966, range chart) as Pseudopolygnathus multistriata IS considered
to belong to nodomarginatus.

PSEUDOPOLYGNATHUS cf. P. PRIMUS (Branson & Mehl) , 1934

(Plo 18, figs 3a, b)

cf. 1934 Pseudopolygnathus prima Branson & Mehl, Univ. Mo. Stud., 8, 298, pI. 24,
figs 24, 25.

No. of specimens: 1; CPC 7788 figured.

Description: Platform lanceolate and composed of fused lateral denticles.

The carina is a sinuous ridge which fuses with the tall anterior free blade,
which is composed of 5 tall fused denticles.

The basal cavity IS large and asymmetrical.

PSEUDOPOLYGNATHUS TRIANGULUS Voges, 1959

(PI. 17, figs 2a, b)

1959 Pseudopolygnathus triangula Voges, PalclOnt. Z., 33, 301, pI. 34, figs 51-66.
pI. 35, figs 1-13.

No. of specimens: 1; CPC 7792 figured.

Range: Late cuI-late cuII,8/y.

Description: The platform is subsymmetrical and triangular, omamented with

coarse transverse ridges fading toward the median carina. Anteriorly
deepening troughs are present on either side of the carina. The free blade is
short and bears four tall fused denticles which decrease in height posteriorly.

The basal cavity is large and lanceolate, narrowing posteriorly. A sharp keel
is present beneath the free blade and the posterior termination; a narrow groove
bisects the free blade keel.

Remarks: The only specimen present cannot be identified to subspecific

level. It is either Pseudopolygnathus triangulus S.s., whch ranges from the late
cuI to the early cuIIa Zones in Germany (Voges, 1959) and occurs in the
'dark shale unit' and the Lodgepole Limestone of Montana, Wyoming, and South
Dakota (Klapper, 1966), or P. triangulus pinnatus Voges, which ranges from
the late cuIIa to the top of cuII,8/y Zones in Germany (Voges, 1959).
99
 Genus SIPHONODELLA Branson & Mehl, 1944
Type species Siphonognathus duplicata Branson & MehI.

SIPHONODELLA sp.
(PI. 15, figs la, b)

No. of specimens: 1; CPC 7793 figured.

Only one worn specimen was recovered. It is very close to Siphonodella sulcata
(Huddle), which is known to range throughout the Hannibal Formation of
the Upper Mississippi Valley (Collinson et aI., 1962).

Genus SPATHOGNATHODUS Branson & Mehl, 1941

Type species Ctenognathus murchisoni Pander.

SPATHOGNATHODUS sp.
(PI. 15, figs 2a-c)

No. of specimens: 1; CPC 7794 figured.

Description: Unit regular, bearing about 20 laterally compressed fused denticles,

which decrease in height posteriorly. The majority of denticles are upright except
in the anterior third, where they slope progressively anteriody. The basal cavity
is symmetrical and occupies the posterior two-thirds of the unit.

Remarks: The specimen can be distinguished from S. coaptus Branson &

Mehl by the anteriorly inclined anterior denticles.

Genus STAUROGNATHUS Branson & Mehl, 1941

Type species Staurognathus cruciformis Branson & MehI.

STAUROGNATHUS CRUCIFORMIS Branson & Mehl, 1941

(PI. 18, figs la-d)

1941 Staurognathus cruciformis Branson & Mehl, J. Paleont., 15, 102, pI. 19.
1959 Staurognathus cruciformis Branson & Mehl; Hass, U.S. geol. SurI'. proj. Pap.
2.94-J, 393, pI. 46, fig. 24.
1964 Staurognathus cruciformis Branson & Mehl: Lindstrom, CONODONTS, 169, fig. 60b.
1966 Staurognathus cruciformis (sic); Eurtcn, N. Mex. geol. Soc., 15th A nn. Field
Conf. Guidebook, Range chart.

No. of specimens: I; CPC 7795 figured.

Range: cull f3/y.

100
 Description: The unit is cross-shaped with an anterior, posterior, and two
lateral bars. The anterior bar is short and deflected laterally, and bears a
single low elongated node. The posterior bar is elongated and inflated and
bears a series of coarse transverse ridges. The outer lateral bar is similar
to the posterior bar, but is shorter. The inner lateral bar is extremely short
and has an inflated termination in the form of a crescent node.

The basal cavity extends beneath the intersection of the bars and is expanded.
It narrows along the posterior and outer lateral bars to form a groove and
has slightly flared lips beneath the anterior and inner lateral bars.

Remarks: Previously S. cruciformis was only known from North America.

Branson & Mehl (1941) recorded it in the Sycamore Formation, Oklahoma; Hass
(1951) and Lindstrom (1964) report it from the Bactrognathus communis Zone
of the Chappel Limestone, Texas, which is considered by Collinson et al. (1962,
chart 5) to be of late cuII,B /y age. Burton (1966) records the species in the lower
part of the Lake Valley Formation of Osagean (cuII,B/Y) age in New Mexico.

Genus T APHROGNATHUS Branson & Mehl, 1941

Type species: Taphrognathus varians Branson & Mehl.

Lindstrom (1964) discusses the morphological similarity between Taphrognathus

and Streptognathodus and places them in synonymy (p: 173), though he points
out that this is possibly a backward step (p. 178). Rexroad (1959) points
out that Taphrognathus is confined to the Valmeyeran, whereas Streptognathodus
is confined to the uppermost Chesterian (Kinkaid Formation) and Pennsylvanian
strata (Rexroad & Collinson, 1961, p. 5; Collinson et aI., 1962). Branson &
Mehl (1941) believed that Cavusgnathus developed from Taphrognathus, and'
this is confirmed by later workers (Rexroad, 1959; Thompson & Goebel, 1963;
Rexroad & Collinson, 1963). Cavusgnathus in turn was ancestral to Strepto-
gnathodus, which developed in the uppermost Chesterian (Rexroad, 1959; Rexroad
& Collinson, 1961 ) .

The discovery of homeomorphic forms of Taphrognathus in the lowest

Carboniferous (lower K Zone) strata of Great Britain, Patrognathus of Rhodes,
Austin, & Druce (1969), and homeomorphic forms of Cavusgnathus, Clydagnathus
of Rhodes et aI., which gives rise to forms considered by those authors to
be referable to Taphrognathus, suggests that lateral transition of the blade
occurred several times during the Lower Carboniferous.

Apart from the taphrognathids described by Rhodes et al. from Scotland,

the genus has been confined to North America, with only one species, T. varians
Branson & Mehl, described. Druce (1969) referred specimens from the
Milligans Beds in Spirit Hill No. 1 Bore, and the Utting Calcarenite, Bonaparte
Gulf Basin, to the genus, and they are considered to belong to T. capricornis
sp. novo
101
 Taphrognathus - Cavusgnathus transitions have been illustrated and discussed
by Branson & Mehl (1941), Thompson & Goebel (1963), and Rexroad &
Collinson (1963).

TAPHROGNATHUS CAPRICORNIS sp. novo

(PI. 15, figs 3a-5d)

1969 Taphrognathus sp. Druce, Bur. Miner. Resour. Aust. Bull. 98, 139, plo 41, figs
la, b.

Derivation of name: After the Tropic of Capricorn, which passes near the
type locality.

No. of specimens: 25; holotype CPC 7796; paratypes CPC 7797, 7798.

Range: Lower Visean cullS?

Type locality: Grid ref. 322093, Rockhampton Sheet.

Diagnosis: A taphrognathid with a large triangular anterior free blade.

Description: In oral view the unit is bowed, with a median anterior free
blade equal in length to the platform. The platform ornament consists of two
lateral rows of low round nodes with a wide shallow median trough. A short
medial posterior free blade is present.

In lateral view the blade is massive and triangular, the denticles increasing
in height and size posteriorly and culminating in a massive main denticle.
The denticles are fused over their whole length apart from their free chevron
tips. The oral surface of the platform is less than half the height of the blade.
The aboral third of the unit is constricted, the greatest constriction occurring
either side of the basal cavity lip. The aboral margin is a shallow V shape.

The basal cavity is asymmetrical, being flared and extending further anteriorly
on the inner side. The cavity extends to the posterior termination as a
narrowing trough and the aboral surface of the anterior free blade bears a
sharp keel.

Remarks: T. capricornis is known from the Bonaparte Gulf Basin, where

it occurs in the Milligans Beds in Spirit Hill No. 1 Bore at a depth of 250 feet
and in the Utting Calcarenite (Druce, 1969).

102
 REFERENCES

BRANSON, E. B., and MEHL, M. G., 1941-Conodonts from the Keokuk Formation.
Denison Vniv. Bull., J. Sci. Labs, 35 (1940), 179-188, pI. 6.

BRANSON, E. B., and MEHL, M. G., 1941-New and little known Carboniferous conodont
genera. J. Paleont., 15, 97-106, pI. 19.

BRYAN, W. H., and JONES, O. A., 1946--The geological history of Queensland. A strati-
graphic outline. Pap. Dep. Geol. Vniv. Qld, 2(12), 1-103.

BURTON, R. c., 1966--A preliminary range chart of Lake Valley Formation (Osage).
Conodonts in the Southern Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico. N. Mex. geol.
Soc., 15th Ann. Field Conf. Guidebook, 73-75.

COLLINSON, c., SCOTT, A. J., and REXROAD, C. B., 1962--Six charts showing biostratigraphic
zones, and correlations based on conodonts from the Devonian and Mississippian
rocks of the Upper Mississippi Valley. W. geol. Surv'. Circ. 328, 1-32.

CONIL, R., LYs, M., and MAUVIER, 1964-Criteres micropaleontologiques essentiels des
Formations-types du Carbonifere (Dinantien) du Bassin Franco-BeIge. C.R. 5ieme
Congo Strat. Glial. Carbon., Paris 1963, 1, 325-332.

DRUCE, E. c., 1969-Upper Palaeozoic conodonts from the Bonaparte Gulf Basin, north-
western Australia. Bur. Miner. Resour. Aust. Bull. 98.

DRUCE, E. C., 1969a-Frasnian conodonts from Mount Morgan, Queensland. This Vol.

DRUCE, E. C., and WILSON, A. T., 1967-Conodonts from the Queensland Palaeozoic
processed in a mobile acid laboratory. Qld. Govt Min. J., 68, 187-190.

ETHERIDGE, R., 190o-Corals from the Coral Limestone of Lion Creek, Stanwell, nr.
Rockhampton. Publ. geol. Surv. Qld, 154, 1-24.

FLEMING, P. J. G., 196o-Stratigraphic and faunal studies in the Upper Palaeozoic at

Neerkol, Central Queensland. Hons Thesis Vniv. Qld (unpubl.).

HAss, W. H., 1959-Conodonts from the Chappel Limestone of Texas. V.S. geol. Surv.
prof. Pap. 294J, 365-399, pis 46-50.

HILL, D., 1943-A reinterpretation of the Australian Palaeozoic record, based on a study
of the rugose corals. -Proc. Ray. Soc. Qld, 54(6), 53-66.

HUDDLE, J., 1934-Conodonts from the New Albany shale of Indiana. Bull. Amer. Paleont.,
21(72), 1-136, pis 1-12.

JELL, 1. S., 1961-The geology of the Mount Larcom area. Hons Thesis Univ. Qld
(unpubl.).

JONES, P. J., and DRUCE, E. C., 1966-Intercontinental conodont correlation of the

Palaeozoic sediments of the Bonaparte Gulf Basin, northwestern Australia. Nature,
211(5047) 357-9.

KIRKEGAARD, A. G., SHAW, R. D., and MURRAY, L. G., 1966--The geology of the
Rockhampton and Port Clinton 1:250,000 Sheet areas. Gear. Surv. Qld Rec. 1966/1
(unpubl.).

LINDSTROM, M., 1964-cONODONTS. Amsterdam, Elsevier.

103
McKELLAR, R. G., in press-Geology of the Cannindah Creek area, Monto, Queensland.
Pub/. geo/. Surv. Qld, 331.

MANZONl, M., 1966-Conodonti Neodevonici ed Eocarboniferi, al Monte Zermula. G. Geol.

33, 461-488, pis 59, 60.

MAXWELL, W. G. H., 1953·-Upper Palaeozoic formations in the Mount Morgan District-

stratigraphy and structure. Pap. Dep. Geol. Univ. Qld, 4(4), 1-14.

MEISCHNER, K. - D., 1962-Rhenaer Kalk und Posidonienkalk im Kulm des nordostlichea

Rheinischen Schiefergebirges und der Kohlenkalk von Schreuga (Eder). Hess. Landesamt
Bodenforseh. Abh., 39, 1-47.

REXROAD, C. R, 1958-The conodont homeomorphs Taphrognathus and Streptognathodus.

J. Paleont., 32, 1158-59.

REXROAD, C. R, and COLLINSON, C. W., 1961-Preliminary range of conodonts from the

Chester Series (Mississippian) in the Illinois Basin. Ill. Geol. Surv. Cire. 319, pp. 1-11.

REXROAD, C. R, and COLLINSON, C., 1963-Conodonts from the St. Louis Formation
(Valmeyeran Series) of Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri. Ibid., 355, pp. 1-28, pis 1, 2.

REXROAD, C. R, and SCOTT, A. J., 1964-Conodont zones in the Rockford Limestone

and lower part of the New Providence Shale (Mississippian) in Indiana. Ind. geol.
Surv. Bull. 30, 1-54, pis 2, 3.

RHODES, F. H. T., AUSTIN, R. L., and DRucE, E. C., 1969-British Avonian (Carboniferous)
conodont faunas and their value in local and intercontinental correlation. Bull. Brit.
Mus. (nat. Hist.) Geol. Supp. 5.

ROBERTS, I., and VEEVERS, J. J., 1967-Carboniferous geology of the Bomuparte Gulf
Basin, northwestern Australia. C.R. 6th Congo Strat. Geol. Carbon., Sheffield.

THOMPSON, T. L., and GOEBEL, E. D., 1963-Preliminary report on conodonts of the

Meramecian Stage (Upper Mississippian) from the subsurface of Western Kansas.
J<..ansas geol. Surv. Bull. 165(1), 1-16.

VOGES, A., 1959-Condonten aus dem Unterkarbon I and 11 (Gattendorfia und Pericyclus-
Stufe) des Sauerlandes. Palaont. Z., 33, 266-314, pis 33-35.

WHITEHOUSE, F. W., 1930-The geology of Queensland, in Handbook for Queensland.

Aust. Ass. Adv. Sci., 23-29.

104
 APPENDIX

Caswell Creek Group: Little Larcomvale Formation equi,valent

Sample YAR 10012: 5 miles S.W. of Yarwun; Grid. ref. 409021; Weight of sample: 7 kg;
9 specimens.
Gnathodus girtyi Hass Lonchodina furnishi Rexroad
G. girtyi Hass subsp. A G. texanus Roundy
Age: Visean cullIa.

Rockhampton Group
Sample Y A RIll 11: On track 6 miles N .E. of Armagh homestead; Grid ref. 288106;
Weight of sample: 7 kg; 2 specimens.
Taphrognathus capricornis sp. novo
Age: Lower Visean cullS.
Sample YAR 116/2: 300 yards N.E. of 111/1; Grid ref. 291108. Weight of sample: 6 kg;
1 specimen.
Taphrognathus capricornis sp. novo
Age: Lower Visean cullS.
Sample YAR 117/1: Immediately north of Ridgelands road at intersection with Seven
Mile Creek; Weight of sample: 7 kg; 8 specimens.
Cavusgnathus sp. Spathognathodus sp.
Polygnathus sp.
Age: ?Visean.
Sample YAR 11914: N.W. tip of Long Island; Weight of sample: 3 kg. 8 specimens.
Taphrognathus capricornis sp. novo
Age: Lower Visean cullS.
Sample YAR 11915: Central west coast, Long Island; Weight of sample: 3 kg; 1 specimen.
Taphrognathus capricornis sp. novo
Age: Lower Visean cullS.
Sample YAR 12112: 50 yards N of road at Grid Ref. 322093, Rockhampton Sheet.
Weight of sample: 7 kg; 7 specimens.
Taphrognathus capricornis sp. novo
Age: Lower Visean cullS.
Sample YAR 12114: Limestone Creek; Grid ref. 320095. Weight of sample: 6 kg;
2 specimens.
Taphrognathus capricornis sp. novo Spathognathodus sp.
Age: Lower Visean cullS.
Sample YAR 12115: t mile N of Limestone Creek; Grid ref. 320094; Weight of
sample: 12 kg; 87 specimens.
Gnathod"s dp/icatus Pr"n<~n & Mehl Ozarkodina acuta (E. R. Branson)
Pseudopolygnathus triangulus Voges Staurognathus cruciformis (Branson & Meh!)
P. nodomarginatus (Branson & Mehl) Lonchodina sp.
P. cf. P. primus Branson & Mehl Hibbardella sp.
Age: Upper Tournaisian, early cull,Bl v ·
Sample YAR 12212: On Malchi Creek; Grid ref. 329081. Weight of sample: 7 kg;
3 specimens.
Taphrognatlzus capricornis sp. novo
Age: Lower Visean cullS.
Sample YAR 12213: 50 yards W of Malchi Creek; Grid ref. 332088 (Gudman Oolite);
Weight of sample: 8 kg; 14 specimens.
Polygnathus communis dentatus Druce Siphonodella sp.
Polygnatlzus sp.
Age: Tournaisian, late cuI.
Sample YAR 14912: Near Glenmore; Grid ref. 341095. Weight of sample: 5 kg;
2 specimens.
Taphrognathus capricornis sp. novo
Age: Lower Visean cullS.
105
 PLATE 15

Magnification x40

Siphonodella sp.
Fig. la Aboral view of specimen CPC 7793.
b Oral view of specimen CPC 7793.

Spathognathodus sp.
Fig. 2a, b Lateral views of specimens CPC 7794.
c Oral view of specimen CPC 7794.

Taphrognathus capricornis sp. novo

Fig. 3a, b Lateral views of paratype CPC 7798.
c Aboral view of paratype CPC 7798.
d Oral view of paratype CPC 7798.
Fig. 4a, b Lateral view of paratype CPC 7797.
c Aboral view of paratype CPC 7797.
d Oral view of paratype CPC 7797.
Fig. Sa, b Lateral views of holotype CPC 7796.
c Aboral view of holotype CPC 7796.
d Oral view of holotype CPC 7796.

106
BMR Bull. 108 - Druce Old L. Carboniferous Conodonts Plate 15
 PLATE 16

Magnification x40

Pseudopolygnathus I/odomarginatus (Branson & Mehl, 1934)

Fig. la, b Lateral views of specimen epe 7789.
c Oral view of specimen epe 7789.
d Aboral view of specimen epe 7789.

Fig. 2a Lateral view of specimen epe 7787.

b Oral view of specimen epe 7787.

Fig. 3a, b Lateral views of specimen epe 7791.

c Oral view of specimen epe 7791.
d Aboral view of specimen epe 7791.

Fig. 4a, b Lateral views of specimen epe 7790.

c Aboral view of specimen epe 7790.
d Oral view of specimen epe 7790.

108
BMR Bull. 108 - Druce Old L. Carboniferous Conodonts Plate 16
 PLATE 17

Magnification x40

Gnathodus delicatus Branson & Mehl, 1938

Fig. la Outer lateral view of specimen epe 7779.
b Inner lateral view of specimen epe 7779.
c Oral view of specimen epe 7779.
d Aboral view of specimen epe 7779.
Fig. 2a Inner lateral view of specimen epe 7780.
b Outer lateral view of specimen epe 7780.
c Oral view of specimen epe 7780.
d Oral view of specimen epe 7780.
Fig. 3a Inner lateral view of sl'ecimen epe 7781.
b Outer lateral view of specimen epe 7781.
c Oral view of specimen epe 7781.

Polygnathus communis dentallls Druce, 1968

Fig. 4a Aboral view of specimen epe 7786.
b Oral view of specimen epe 7786.

Gnathct:lus texallllS Roundy, 1926

Fig. 5a Oral view of worn specimen epe 7783.
b Aboral view of worn specimen epe 7783.
c Outer lateral view of worn specimen epe 7783.
d Inner lateral view of worn specimen epe 7783.

Gnathodus girtyi Hass subsp. A.

Fig. 6a Oral view of sp~cimen epe 7782.
b Outer lateral view of specImen epe 7782.
c Inner lateral view of sl'ecimen epe 7782.

110
BMR Bull. 108 - Druce Old L. Carboniferous Conodonts Plate 17
 PLATE 18

1agnificntion x40

S/allroglla/ll1Is crl/ci/ormis Brallson & Mehl, 1941

Fig. la Oral view of specimen ere 7795.
b Aboral view of specimcn ere 7795.
c, d Lateral views of sr-ecimcn ere 7795.

Pselldopolyglla/ll1Is /riallgllllls Voges, 1959

Fig. 2a Aboral view of specimen ere 7792.
b Oral vicw of sr-ecimen ere 7792.

Pselldopolygl1a,ltlls cf. P. prin1lls Branson & Mehl, 1934

Fig. 3a Aboral view of specimen epe 7788.

b Oral view of specimen ere 7788.
c Lateral view of specimen ere 7788.

Bryall/otllls sp.

Fig. 4a Outer lateral view of specimen 7778.

b Inner lateral view of specimen 7778.

Ozarkotlilla aw/a (E. R. Branson, 1934)

Fig. 5a Inner lateral view of specimen ere 7784.
b Outer lateral view of specimen ere 7784.

112
BMR Bull. 108 - Druce Old L. Carboniferous Conodonts Plate 18