Magnigondolella, a new conodont genus from the Triassic of North America

The new conodont genus Magnigondolella is recognized based on specimens recovered from the Anisian (Middle Triassic) of British Columbia in Canada, and Nevada in the USA. This new genus encompasses problematic specimens with high carinas, which have recently been collectively referred to as Neogondolella ex gr. regalis Mosher. Ten species from North America are herein assigned to Magnigondolella n. gen., including the eight new species M. alexanderi, M. cyri, M. julii, M. nebuchadnezzari, M. salomae, M. n. sp. A, M. n. sp. B, and M. n. sp. C, as well as the two existing species M. regalis (Mosher) and M. dilacerata (Golding and Orchard). Other species from the Tethys region are also tentatively assigned to Magnigondolella n. gen. Based on published records, the genus appears to range from the Spathian to the upper Anisian in North America. The recognition of eight new species from the Anisian significantly increases the conodont biodiversity of this period, which has previously been regarded as a time of low diversity. Although some of the species included within Magnigondolella n. sp. have relatively long stratigraphic ranges, many have been identified in both British Columbia and Nevada, and therefore show potential for biostratigraphic correlation on a regional scale.