On the History of Systematics and the Evolution of the Brachiopod Order Spiriferida from the Carboniferous of Eastern Europe

This work presents a revision of the history of the systematics of the order Spiriferida. Main directions of evolution of the major groups of Carboniferous spiriferids are identified and the corresponding changes in the composition of the superfamilies Martinioidea Waagen, 1883 and Spiriferoidea King, 1846 are recognized. The family Brachythyrididae Fredericks, 1924 including the subfamilies Brachythyridinae Fredericks, 1924, and Skelidorygminae Carter, 1994, was assigned to the superfamily Martinioidea. The family Angiospiriferidae Legrand-Blain, 1985, with the subfamilies Angiospiriferinae Legrand-Blain, 1985, Brachythyrininae Waterhouse, 2004, and Choristitinae Waterhouse, 1968, was recognized within the superfamily Spiriferoidea. The superfamily Neospiriferoidea Waterhouse, 1968 was established with the families Imbrexiidae Carter, 1992, Neospiriferidae Waterhouse, 1968, Trigonotretidae Schuchert, 1893, and Spiriferellidae Waterhouse, 1968.