Catillocrinids from the Permian of eastern Australia

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Abstract
Two new catillocrinid genera are described from the Permian of eastern Australia. Notiocatillocrinus gen. nov. is erected for two species N. oakiensis sp. nov. — the type — from late Sakmarian/early Artinskian sediments in northern New South Wales, and N. nerimberae (McKellar) from early Artinskian sediments in Queensland. Taucatillocrinus gen. nov. is erected for T. cephalonus sp. nov. — the type — from late Artinskian sediments in southern New South Wales. A second species T.? giganteus sp. nov. from the same locality as the type is tentatively assigned to the genus. The genera are readily distinguished from those from the Permian of the now comparatively proximal Timor though both exhibit similarities to Paracatillocrinus Wanner from this island. Both genera provide valuable information on the morphology of their radial armbearing facets and mode of radial-arm articulation. A life orientation is suggested for Taucatillocrinus. It is unlike that interpreted for the genus Paracatillocrinus. Notiocatillocrinus and Taucatillocrinus are the first known ‘cold-water’ representatives of the Catillocrinidae. The recovery of Taucatillocrinus extends the range of this family in Australia. With the identification of Notiocatillocrinus on Maria Island, Tasmania becomes the most southern catillocrinid locality known to-date.