Article: A new mitrate from the Lower Ordovician of southern France

The mitrocystitid mitrate Vizcainocarpus dentiger gen. et sp. nov. originates from the Lower Arenig of the Montagne Noire, France. Its distinctive features are two dorsal areas of polyplated integument, thorn-like projections on the postero-ventral head plates and a leftward-opening mouth. A preliminary cladistic analysis shows that V. dentiger is more derived than Chinianocarpos thorali and is the most primitive mitrocystitid with a differentiated centro-dorsal plate D12 and with the upper lip plate n rigidly incorporated in the skeleton.