Lithomelissa sp. B

Plate 18, Figs. 6A – 8B; Plate 20, Figs. 8–9.

unknown plagonid group C sp 32 cf sp 2, Trubovitz et al., 2020, supplementary data 7.

Remarks. This species differs from Lophophaena witjazii Petrushevskaya (Pl. 25, Figs. 5A–B) in that the apical spine passes freely through the cephalis, and the neck area is not as constricted, instead blending into the thorax. In addition, placement of the spines on the cephalis is more irregular, not forming the “crown” of thorns typical of L. witjazii, but being scattered throughout the cephalis and the most prominent horn originating from the apical spine.

This species differs from Lophophaena simplex Funakawa (Pl. 33, Figs. 8A – 9B) in that the apical spine passes freely through the cephalis, and it is overall much larger in size.

Material examined. 13 specimens observed from samples 321-1337A-18H-6, 77–80cm (Late Miocene), 321-1337A-12H-5, 23–26cm (Late Miocene), 321-1337A-10H-2, 91–94cm (Early Pliocene), 321-1337A-7H- 6, 104–107cm (Early Pliocene), 321-1337A-5H-5, 11–14cm (Late Pliocene), 321-1337A-3H- 2, 103–106cm (Middle Pleistocene), 321-1337A-2H-3, 76–79cm (Late Pleistocene), and 321-1337D-1H-1, 0–3cm (Recent).

Range. Late Miocene—Recent, EEP (Table 1).