The linshuichonetes-Crurithyris community and new productid species from the Cisuralian (Early Permian) of Sichuan, China

Two marginiferinid species, Marginifera spinulifera sp. nov. and Transennatia sulcata sp. nov. are described from the Early Permian Liangshan and lowermost Chihsia formations at the Chuanmu Section, Sichuan, China. The Linshuichonetes – Crurithyris Community is discussed in the context of a pioneering opportunistic community that developed at the onset of the Yanghsingian transgression in the late Artinskian. This community was characterized by species that were generally small and relatively thin-shelled, and showed other features that are ecological adaptations to fluctuating environmental conditions.