THE CODIACEAN GENERA ANCHICODIUM JOHNSON, 1946 AND IRANICODIUM NOV. GEN. FROM THE PERMIAN JAMAL FORMATION OF SHOTORI MOUNTAINS, NORTHEAST IRAN

Abstract

Definition of the codiacean genus Anchicodium Johnson (Algae, Chlorophyta) is revised. Anchicodium is morphologically straight, curved, undulating or even irregular tapes and not cylindrical as defined by previous authors. Anchicodium is restricted to the Carboniferous-Permian time interval and known with 14 species, described by different authors. The majority of species were initially established by inadequte description and illustrations. Critical discussions and reviews of the individual species are carried out. Anchicodium iranicum nov. sp. and Anchicodium maximum nov. sp. are described from the Permian Jamal Formation exposed in two localities in the Shotori Mountains, northeast Iran. Iranicodium, a new genus of codiacean family with type species I. asymmetricum nov. sp. is similar to Anchicodium, but differs from it by having different skeletal elements on opposite sides of the thallus tape.