A new ophiocistoid (Echinodermata) from the Silurian of Gotland, Sweden

From the early Silurian of Gotland, Sweden, the new ophiocistioid goniodont Linguaserra franzenae sp. nov. is described, figured and discussed within the Linguaserridae Reich & Haude, 2004. The evolutionary history of linguaserrid ophiocistioids is briefly discussed in relation to other members of the Ophiocistioidea. This new echinoderm species not only represents the first documented occurrence of this group from the Llandovery but also establishes the stratigraphically oldest record of goniodonts in the world.