The Early Ordovician Beothuka terranova (Radiolaria) faunal assemblage in western Newfoundland

The Beothuka terranova radiolarian assemblage from the Isograptus victoriae lunatus Biozone of western Newfoundland is described and compared with the slightly older assemblage from the Didymograptellus bifidus Biozone of Spitsbergen. Specimens of Beothuka terranova are described for the first time from material preserved in silica with little diagenetic changes. In the Spitsbergen specimens the skeleton is replaced by pyrite, destroying most of the original details and thickening distinctly fine bars and spines. The Newfoundland assemblage lacks specimens of Sphaeroentactinia, while possible specimens of Svalbardospiculum and Protoentactinia sp. are represented by juveniles. Nyfrieslandia specimens are common in the sample. Faunal differences may relate to preservational factors and, in part indicate biostratigraphic differences. Several new species are described, some in open nomenclature: Antygopora irregularia n. sp., Labyrinthia robusta n. sp.