Luis Mariano Vidal ( 1842-1922 ) rudist taxa revisited

The revision of the 323 register numbers of rudist bivalves in the Vidal Collection, kept at the Museu de Geologia de Barcelona (MCNB), allowed the identification and re-figuration of thirty-three holotype or syntype specimens corresponding to twenty species established by Vidal. Among them, thirteen are considered as valid species, four resulted to be synonymous with other senior species, and three (one not figured) do not display enough characters to be properly identified. The four syntypes of Hippurites castroi, currently attributed to genus Hippuritella, have not been localised, nor the other two specimens subsequently figured by the author. Similarly, three of the four syntypes of Hippurites maestrei, type species of Hippuritella, have not been localised. Contrarily, the specimens described as Sphaerulites posae but not figured, were localised. On the other hand, twelve specimens, syntypes or figured as new species by other authors (Matheron and Douvillé), have also been identified and are re-figured; most of them are part of the specimens that were sectioned for study and then returned to Vidal. In addition, other seventeen specimens figured by Douvillé have been identified and are documented; most of them also being part of a sectioned specimen.


INTRODUCTION
Luis Mariano Vidal (1842Vidal ( -1922 published several papers on the geology and palaeontology of Catalonia, meanwhile assembling a relevant collection of fossils as a result of his field work. The collection, originally denominated Colección de Minerales, Rocas, Fósiles y Objetos de Prehistoria, was donated by Vidal in 1922 to the Museo Martorell (currently Museu de Geologia de Barcelona [MGB], as part of the Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, MCNB). Many of the original 6,076 register numbers of fossils correspond to the Cretaceous (2,727) and, 323 among them, to rudist bivalve specimens.
In three of his publications Vidal (1874Vidal ( , 1878Vidal ( and 1921) established a total of twenty new rudist species. He also sent specimens in his collection to renowned foreign specialists, for their study and subsequent publication (Matheron, 1880;Douvillé, 1895 and. In some cases, these specimens were used to establish new species (seven), while other were figured because they showed relevant characteristics for already established species (sixteen). Some of these specimens were returned to the collection, other remained abroad, mainly incorporated in the collection of the École nationale supérieure des Mines de Paris (EM), currently kept in the Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Villeurbanne (France), and still other, mainly hippuritids whose study requires a transverse section of the right valve close to the commissural plane, only one part was returned, generally the adapical part.
Most Vidal rudist specimen's figures, particularly all those in Vidal (1874 and1878), are beautiful but sometimes slightly idealized designs, not photographs.
The main aim of this paper is the revision and re-figuration of the rudist species erected by Vidal, as well as of those by other authors based on specimens provided by him. Among the last, only specimens currently in the Vidal Collection are re-figured. In addition, the specimens of the Vidal Collection figured by other authors are documented and new data are provided on some of the mentioned taxa. Table 1. Type and figured specimens of rudists, from Vidal (1874Vidal ( , 1878Vidal ( , 1907Vidal ( , 1917Vidal ( , 1918Vidal ( , and 1921, housed in the Vidal Collection at Museu de Geologia de Barcelona (MGB). In bold, register numbers of type specimens as well as taxonomical changes.*** Specimen not localised. Tabla 1. Ejemplares tipo y figurados de rudistas, de Vidal (1874de Vidal ( , 1878de Vidal ( , 1907de Vidal ( , 1917de Vidal ( , 1918de Vidal ( y 1921, conservados en la Colección Vidal del Museu de Geologia de Barcelona (MGB). Los números de registro de los ejemplares tipo están indicados con negritas, al igual que los cambios taxonómicos. ***Ejemplar no localizado.

MATERIAL
Specimens of the Vidal Collection described or figured are kept in the Museu de Geologia de Barcelona-MCNB (MGB). Some of these specimens still preserve the original label with the register number given by Vidal, although all the specimens received a new register number when donated to the MGB in 1922. A MGB register number may correspond to a single specimen but also to a group of specimens all conspecific and from the same locality. Among type and figured specimens, those bearing the same register number have been distinguished each other by adding a letter to the number. Other mentioned specimens (or a part of them) are kept in the EM collection. Specimens in the Palaeontological Collections of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (PUAB) have been used to complete some of the descriptions.

SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY
This section is organised in two parts: first, the species established by Vidal (1874Vidal ( , 1878Vidal ( , and 1921, and second, the species established by Matheron (1880) and Douvillé (1895 and. Synonymy lists are not exhaustive, only original references or those relevant to the scope of this paper are included. Readers may check Steuber (2002) for more complete synonymies.
Abbreviations and conventions in text and figures: AT = anterior tooth; CT = central tooth; L = ligament scar (external) or ligament ridge (internal); LV = left valve; MC = main cavity; P1 = first pillar; P2 = second pillar; PB = posterior radial band; PC = posterior cavity; PM = posterior myophore; PS = posterior radial sinus; PT = posterior tooth; RV = right valve; VB = ventral radial band; VS = ventral radial sinus. In monopleurids, radiolitids, and plagioptychids, stereo pairs have been used to illustrate three-dimensionally the external view. All scale bars represent 10 mm. Material. Only the type, a specimen with both valves articulated, is preserved in the Vidal Collection at MGB.

VIDAL'S (1874, 1878 and 1921) NEW SPECIES BASED ON SPECIMENS OF THE VIDAL COLLECTION
Description. Moderately large specimen, dorsal-ventral diameter measures 55 mm and anterior-posterior diameter 45 mm at the commissural plane. Both valves have very fine radial ribs, also very fine growth lines, and present two radial sinuses (one ventral, the other slightly posterior) starting faintly near the apex and accentuating near the commissure, thus producing a trilobate profile of both valves. LV is moderately convex with a more prominent umbo near the dorsal margin of the valve. RV is conical, curved, and with the umbo extending far beyond the dorsal margin of the commissure; its apical part is broken. Remarks. Nothing is known about the inner characters of the shell, as far as the available material has not been sectioned nor disarticulated isolated valves have been found. Nevertheless, external characters fit with the present understanding of Monopleura.
Occurrence. Several other specimens have been subsequently collected from the upper Campanian of l'Espà (Berguedà), that are kept in PUAB. Description. Small specimen with nearly circular section at the commissural plane, dorsal-ventral diameter measures 20 mm and anterior-posterior diameter 17 mm. LV is moderately convex, with the apex close to the dorsal margin, and nearly smooth, very faint growth lines are barely noticeable. RV is much more convex, with the apex close to the dorsal margin of the commissure, and with coarse steeped growth lines. No inflexions of the growth lines are noticed in any of both valves and, thus, no sinuses are evident at the commissure.

Synonymy 1878 Monopleura Montsecana
Description. Moderately small specimen. At the commissural plane, dorsal-ventral diameter measures 13 mm and anterior-posterior diameter 27 mm. Both valves are 50 Jose Maria Pons -Enric Vicens -Luis Troya -Gerard Lucena oblique cones, RV higher than LV; smooth, only faint growth lines and two faint radial sinuses are noticed at the outer surface.
Remarks. M. montsecana differs from M. falgasi by its smaller size, lack of radial ribs, less accentuated radial sinuses, and different profile of the shell evidenced by the relation ventral-dorsal/anterior-posterior diameters at the commissural plane. As in previously treated species, even being the internal shell characters unknown, other characters fit with the current understanding of Monopleura.
Description. Shell very inequivalve. LV is operculiform, moderately convex to nearly flat, with the apex near de dorsal margin, smooth but with evident growth lines; the profile at the commissural plane is somewhat triangular with curved sides. RV is conical very high, nearly cylindrical; most valves are more or less curved, twisted at early growth stages, but straight valves are also common. Outer surface is smooth, with only faint growth lines. Small bouquets composed of a few individuals, attached to each other, are common.
Remarks. The original attribution to a requieniid genus is unsustainable: shells are fixed by the RV, valves are not coiled, and the ligament is internal. Although lacking a description of the inner characters of the shell, attribution to Monopleura, as Pons (1977) proposed, seems the most reasonable option. Description. RV gyropleuriform. Dorsal-ventral and anteriorposterior diameters at the commissural plane measure 40 mm and 25 mm, respectively, in the larger specimen and 21 mm and 15 mm in the smaller one. Outer shell surface is ornamented by strong rounded radial ribs, interrupted by growth rugae, and enlarging from the apex to the commissure.
Remarks. Although lacking a description of the inner characters of the shell, attribution to Gyropleura, as originally, seems the most reasonable option.
Occurrence. Tartareu  Material. Only the type, a specimen with both valves articulated, is preserved in the Vidal Collection at MGB. Description. RV conical, 60 mm long and 50 mm maximal diameter at the commissural plane, ornamented by narrow rounded radial ribs intercalated with slightly wider sinuses. Two among these sinuses, much wider and with flat bottom, corresponding to up-and-inward folds of the growth lamellae, and limited by narrow costae (down-and-outward folds), are interpreted as the radial bands. Costae and sinuses are gently interrupted by successive growth cycles. LV smooth, nearly flat, with a sub-central faintly convex apex and a concave marginal part adapted to the folds of the right valve.
Remarks. Several specimens identified as R. laciniatus, collected in the lower Santonian of the Montsec, have been sectioned and all of them show a ligament ridge and mostly compact outer shell structure (see Pons & Vicens, 2008, fig. 6). The very simple morphology of R. laciniatus better recalls the one displayed by some Turonian Radiolites species (see e.g. R. lefebvrei Rolland, 1881) (Vidal, 1878). Holotype, MGB 759; Mas de Gasol, Montsec d'Àger. Stereo pairs. 1-4: upper, anterior, posterior, and ventral views, respectively, of a bivalve specimen. Fig. 6. Biradiolites ibericus (Vidal, 1878 Description. RV is wide conical and dorsal-ventrally flattened. It is 35 mm high, measuring 35 mm the anterior-posterior diameter and 15 mm the ventral-dorsal. A narrow, much developed down-and-outward fold of the growth lamellae, at the anterior side, together with another, acute but less developed at the inter-band, are mainly responsible for the flattened profile of the valve. The ventral radial structure is a flat down-and-outward fold of the growth lamellae forming a slightly protruding flat radial band. The posterior radial structure is also a flat down-and-outward fold of the growth lamellae, but narrower and depressed between the inter-band fold and a posterior-dorsal fold. LV has a centred slightly convex apex Fig. 7. Biradiolites royanus (d 'Orbigny, 1850). Syntypes of Radiolites fumanyae Vidal, 1878; Fumanya. Stereo pairs. 1-5, MGB 1729a: upper, ventralposterior, ventral, anterior, and posterior views, respectively, of a bivalve specimen; 6-10, MGB 1729b: upper, ventral-posterior, ventral, anterior, and posterior views, respectively, of a bivalve specimen. Fig. 7. Biradiolites royanus (d 'Orbigny, 1850). Sintipos de Radiolites fumanyae Vidal, 1878; Fumanya. Pares estereoscópicos. 1-5, MGB 1729a: vistas superior, ventral-posterior, ventral, anterior y posterior, respectivamente, de un ejemplar bivalvo; 6-10, MGB 1729b: vistas superior, ventral-posterior, ventral, anterior, y posterior, respectivamente, de un ejemplar bivalvo. and extends marginally adapted to the folds in the RV. Transverse sections of other specimens collected from the same locality show the myo-cardinal apparatus characteristic of Biradiolites and an outer shell layer structure with radial ridges pattern.
Remarks. The species was validated and recognized as a Biradiolites by Toucas (1909 Description. RV is small, conical and slightly quadrangular in upper view. Anterior-posterior diameter measures between 23 and 30 mm and dorsal-ventral diameter between 12 and 18 mm. Radial structures are two wide, flat down-and-outward folds of the growth lamellae limited each one by very narrow up-and-inward folds, that form, at the outer shell surface, two wide radial bands depressed between an acute down-and-outward fold in the inter-band and two similar although less developed folds, respectively, at the anterior and posterior side. The costae produced at the outer shell surface by these three folds, together with that of an anterior-dorsal one, are mainly responsible for the quadrangular transverse section or upper view profile of the shell. LV is slightly convex, with a dorsally located apex and three narrow radial sulci and two wide flat costae in correspondence with the folds of the growth lamellae in the RV. The transverse sections of the specimens from Serra de Catllaràs, S of Pobla de Lillet and Serrat de la Figuerassa, N of Berga, figured by Vicens (1992, pl. 57, figs. 9-11;pl. 62, fig. 1) show, besides the myo-cardinal apparatus, the outer shell layer with compact structure in most of both valves, and only poorly developed non compact structure at the radial structures.
Remarks. Vicens (1992)  Description. RV is conical, short and wide; around 30 mm high and 50 mm of anterior-posterior diameter. LV has a convex apex located slightly dorsal and a thin flat margin extending over the very much expanded commissural lip. The growth lamellae of the RV, are slightly inclined inwards and develop gently undulated radial folding. The radial structures are two deep and flat up-and-inward folds, limited by three deep and narrower down-and outward folds. The outer shell surface bears two wide radial sinuses and three narrower costae at the ventral-posterior side and regular rounded costae at the rest. Thick lamellae sets, separated by growth interruptions, are conspicuous at the outer shell surface. Vidal specimens have not been cut, but abundant newly collected material from the same locality was sectioned and shows a characteristic ligament ridge and myo-cardinal apparatus, as well as the structure of the outer shell layer, normal cellular with radially elongated cells in coincidence with major folds of the growth lamellae, thus shell width more expanded.
Remarks. Toucas (1907)  Material. Besides the three syntypes, five more specimens from Fígols are preserved in the Vidal Collection under the same register number.
Description. RV is conical, with narrow acute apex curved towards the ventral-posterior side. Anterior-posterior and dorsal-ventral diameters measure 30 mm and 22 mm, respectively, in a shell 40 mm high. The outer surface is nearly smooth; besides the growth lines, only two gentle radial sinuses close each other and limited by three rounded costae, at the ventral posterior side, and a narrow radial furrow at the dorsal side, are conspicuous. LV is nearly flat, with the apex located dorsally, from which thin radial costae arise, reaching the commissural margin.
Remarks. The species was currently attributed to genus Praeradiolites since Toucas (1907). Pons (1977) described its canaliculated outer shell structure and identified it as Radiolitella.
New genus? RV characterised by: growth lamellae deeply inclined inwards; radial structures are two close wide flat down-andoutward folds of the growth lamellae, commonly subdivided, producing two unequal radial bands at the outer surface, commonly depressed, without inter-band fold; outer shell layer structure compact and non-compact with continuous radial ridges; no ligament ridge. LV is deeply concave.
This new genus differs from Eoradiolites Douvillé, 1909 by lacking a ligament ridge and from Biradiolites, besides the outer shell layer structure, by its close radial bands without an inter-band fold. Although it appears similar to some species currently attributed to Bournonia Fischer, 1887, a genus needing a revision and a re-definition, it is completely different from its type species Bournonia bournoni (des Moulins, 1826).
Description. RV is long conical with a flat ventral-posterior face, bearing two close wide flat depressed radial bands, ventral one wider than posterior one; the rest of the outer shell surface is smooth or presents tender rounded costae. There is no trace of a ligament ridge. LV is deeply concave, with sub-central apex, and bears conspicuous growth lines.
Remarks. Toucas (1907) recognised the genus Agria Matheron, 1878 (emended to Agriopleura by Kuhn, 1932), considering Hippurites Blumenbachi Studer,1834 as the type species, and distinguishing two groups of species according to the development of the costae and sinuses, differently interpreted as the radial structures. Both groups include species with or without a ligament ridge. Subsequently, some of the species considered by Toucas (1907) have been ascribed to other genera (Masse & Philip 1974), namely Eoradiolites or Bournonia.
The species, currently attributed to Agriopleura since Toucas (1907) was assigned to Biradiolites by Vicens et al. (2004). Its outer shell layer structure, non-compact with continuous radial ridges, was illustrated by Pons and Vicens (2008, text-figs. 7, 16a-c). We consider that this species should be attributed to a new genus, defined by the characters reported above.
Remarks on the type. After the study of the type material, it becomes evident that Vidal (1921) named Biradiolites osensis two specimens that correspond, in fact, to incomplete disarticulated left valves of the species Radiolites osensis he had already established in 1878, as pointed out by Vicens (1992). Thus, the two species become secondary homonyms, R. osensis being the senior. Material. Besides the syntypes of both species, forty-one more specimens, from Tartareu, are preserved in the Vidal Collection under the same register number (MGB 1822).
Description. Small size shells, largest specimens measure 50 mm high and 25 mm in maximum diameter at the commissural plane. RV is long conical, with the apex curved towards the dorsal side. Radial structures are two very close down-and-outward folds of the deeply inwards inclined growth lamellae that produce two radial bands at the outer shell surface, VB wider than PB, without an inter-band rib (fold). As the wide central part of the folds is subdivided, the bands appear as deeply depressed. The rest of the outer shell surface is smooth or bears tender rounded costae. LV is deeply concave and presents the same folds than the RV.
Remarks. The species, currently attributed to Agriopleura since Toucas (1907) was assigned to Biradiolites by Masse and Philip (1974). Vicens (1992), besides recognising the synonymy between the two species established by Vidal (1878 and1921), figured several transverse sections showing the myo-cardinal apparatus and the structure of the outer shell layer, compact in juvenile shells and in thin parts of adult shells and non-compact with continuous radial ridges in thicker parts, particularly in folds. We consider this species should be attributed to a new genus, defined by the characters reported above.
Description. The specimen is an internal mould of a radiolitid, preserving, only in some points, the inner shell layer and the innermost part of the outer shell layer. Dor-sal-ventral diameter measures 12 mm and anterior-posterior one 10 mm at the commissural plane; height is 13 mm. Location of the myo-cardinal apparatus is discernible at the dorsal side, and there is no evidence of a ligament ridge. It probably corresponds to a small Biradiolites.
Description. The two specimens preserve both valves. One measures 17 mm of maximal diameter and 15 mm of height, while the other does 12 mm and 10 mm respectively. RV is conical, with an eccentric apex located ventrally, and two up-and inward folds of the growth lamellae producing two radial sinuses limited by three costae at the flat ventral-posterior side and remaining smooth at the rest of the outer surface. LV is flat, with slightly prominent eccentric apex and two flat radial costae in correspondence with the radial sinuses of the RV.
Remarks. The shell characters observed on booth specimens do not allow a generic or specific identification and, even less, the proposal of a new taxon. They probably correspond to young individuals of Praeradiolites.
Five specimens, under the register number MGB 2179 and indicating Sphaerulites Posae in the label, are preserved in the Vidal collection. One is an isolated radiolitid LV with a fragment of another young radiolitid shell fixed on the upper (outer) surface and showing the crest of the ligament and the base of the broken cardinal arch at the lower (inner) surface. A second specimen is a radiolitid with both valves, RV with a curved apex and LV slightly convex, but both with the outer surface highly eroded. A third specimen is a short, seemingly young, radiolitid RV fixed on a Hippuritella castroi LV fragment; a deep radial furrow is evident on the better preserved dorsal side and two very close up-and-inward folds are slightly indicated on the badly preserved, abraded ventral side. A fourth specimen is an isolated RV of radiolitid, showing at the interior the crest of the ligament ridge and the cardinal sockets; two close up-and inward folds, as those in the last specimen, are barely noticeable on the abraded outer surface. A fifth specimen is a small fragment, probably of a radiolitid LV. Summarizing, the shell characters observed on these specimens, besides a ligament ridge, do not allow a generic or specific identification and, even less, the proposal of a new taxon.
Family HIPPURITIDAE Gray, 1848 Hippurites Lamarck, 1801 Type species. Hippurites bioculata Lamarck, 1801 by monotypy.  Vidal, 1878. Carbonills. Stereo pairs. 4-7, MGB 1279a, and posterior views, respectively, of a bivalve specimen; 8-9, MGB 1279b: upper and anterior views, respectively, of a bivalve specimen. Fig. 12. 1-3 Vidal;Douvillé: 180,pl. 28,figs. 2,2a,3,3a,4,5,6 Material. Only three of the four Vidal syntypes are preserved in the Vidal Collection: MGB 1567, 1678, and 1679a. The fourth specimen was re-figured by Douvillé (1895, pl. 28, figs. 2, 2a) and remained in France (EM 15882). Two other specimens figured by Douvillé (1895) are in the Vidal Collection, the syntype MGB 1679a and two pieces of another (MGB 1679b). In addition, there are eight more specimens under MGB 1348, eight under MGB 1567, three under MGB 1678, and two under MGB 1679 Description. RV is small, 30 mm in maximal diameter and around 30 to 40 mm in height, although this last may attain 80 mm in some specimens with cylinder-conical form. The outer surface bears prominent rounded ribs, intercalated with narrower furrows, interrupted by growth lines producing a characteristic granulate or scaly ornamentation, and presenting three deep radial furrows corresponding to the three inner folds. A transverse section close below the commissural plane shows: the outer shell layer is thin, between 2 and 4 mm; the ligament ridge is short, triangular, and has a wide truncated distal end; the first pillar is very short, merely almost a fold of the outer shell layer; the second pillar is somewhat longer although remaining short and robust. The myo-cardinal apparatus is located very close to the ligament ridge, leaving space only for a minuscule anterior-dorsal cavity. LV is flat. Pores are linear, short, very spaced, and located at the bottom of polygonal depressions. Canals are more than 1 mm wide. Oscules are marginal.
Remarks. In disparity with Douvillé (1895), Toucas (1903) considered H. montsecanus as a simple variety of H. matheroni and not a valid species. In our opinion, and accordingly to Douvillé's statements, the characters of H. montsecanus, particularly the pattern of the pore-canal system of the left valve, justify the individualisation and validity of this species.

Synonymy 1874 Hippurites Castroi
Description. RV is conical-cylindrical, larger specimens measure 120 mm in height and 60 mm of maximal diameter, and the outer surface bears regular rounded ribs and three radial furrows in correspondence with the inner folds. LV is flat with a sub-central apex. The pores are rectangular and radially aligned, the canals are 2 mm wide, and the two oscules are marginal. The inner characters, as observed in a transverse section of the shell, were already described by Douvillé (1895) and Toucas (1903) and can be summarised as follows: the outer shell layer is very thick, reaching 4 mm; the ligament ridge is reduced to a slight inflexion of the outer shell layer; both pillars are robust and very short, the second, somewhat more developed, may have straight parallel sides. The myo-cardinal apparatus is distant from the inner margin of the outer shell layer.
Occurrence. Besides the type locality Isona, it is common in many other localities on the northern and southern flanks of the Tremp Syncline (Pallars Jussà). Although reported outside Pyrenees, in our opinion these are misidentifications.
Description. The specimen is a small conical RV, lacking its apical part and covered with sediment at the upper part. Maximal diameter measures 30 mm and the preserved part is 15 mm high. The wide flat radial ribs, intercalated with very narrow furrows, of the outer shell surface give good reason for the specific name planicostatus given by Vidal. Careful observation on the margin of the sediment covered part of the shell revealed the presence of the left valve below the sediment and the section of what seemed to be canals. The specimen was sectioned very close to the commissural plane and, effectively, it corresponds to a small hippuritid whose inner characters allow its attribution to Hippuritella lapeirousei: ligament ridge reduced to a slight inflexion of the outer shell layer and pillars also reduced to weak inner protuberances. The marginal part of the left valve, with its radial canals appears also in the section.
Remarks. The species lapeirousei was first assigned to genus Hippuritella by Sánchez (1981).
Occurrence. The species H. lapeirousei is widespread in the upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian of the Southcentral Pyrenees, besides being reported from many other distant areas.
Description. The RV is long cylindrical, with larger specimens reaching a maximal diameter of 30 mm. The outer surface bears characteristic much accentuate acute costae, intercalated with acute or rounded furrows. Three deep radial furrows, commonly developed, indicate the position of the three inner folds. The LV is strongly postulate, the pores are linear although short, and the oscules are marginal. The transverse section close below the commissural plane shows that: the characteristic costae are produced by strong radial folds of the growth lamellae; the ligament ridge is triangular, extremely short and with a clearly truncated distal end; the myo-cardinal apparatus is very close to the inner margin of the outer shell layer, leaving only space for a minuscule anterior-dorsal cavity; the first pillar is short and robust; the second pillar is longer and lamellar, with parallel sides.
Remarks. Toucas (1903), besides recognising H. incisus as a proper species (it was originally considered only a variety incisa by Douvillé (1895)), also included H. vasseuri Douvillé, 1894 in it. In our opinion H. vasseuri and H. incisus are sufficiently different to be considered as two different species.
Hippurites microstylus Douvillé, 1895 Fig. 18.1-11 Type. Holotype is MGB 1158 (Douvillé, 1895, pl. 28, figs 8, 8a)  Description. The RV is short conical, larger specimens may attain 60 mm in maximal diameter although those 66 Jose Maria . Hippurites microstylus Douvillé, 1895. 1-4, MGB 1681: upper view, transverse section of the right valve, and details of both, respectively, of a bivalve specimen; 5-11, holotype MGB 1158 (Collades de Basturs): posterior view, transverse sections, upper view, detail of the same, and details of the ligament ridge, respectively, of a small bouquet. Fig. 18. Hippurites microstylus Douvillé, 1895. 1-4, MGB 1681: vista superior, sección transversal de la valva derecha y detalles de ambas, respectivamente, de un ejemplar bivalvo; 5-11, holotipo MGB 1158 (Collades de Basturs): vista posterior, secciones transversales, vista superior, detalle de esta última y detalles de la cresta del ligamento, respectivamente, de un pequeño bouquet. measuring around 30 mm are most common. The outer shell surface bears rounded costae that may appear spiny when interrupted by growth lines; this ornamentation is well developed in juveniles and considerably much reduced in adult shells. Three furrows in coincidence with the inner folds are well distinguishable. The transverse section close to the commissural plane shows that: the ligament ridge is triangular, very short and has a truncated distal end; the myo-cardinal apparatus is very robust and there is no trace of an anterior-dorsal cavity; the two pillars are sub-equal, very wide and short, appearing as simple enlargements of the outer shell layer. The LV is nearly flat, the pores are linear vermiculate and very close to each other, the canals are large (between 1.5 and 2 mm wide), and the oscules are marginal.
Remarks. Although quite similar to H. montsecanus in its external appearance and ornamentation, both species clearly differ in the pore-canal pattern of the LV, the distal end of the ligament ridge, and the development of the pillars. . We collected abundantly well preserved specimens of this hippuritid in several localities in the Montsec and we consider that the characters of the left valve will justify the proposal of a new taxon in the near future.
Remarks on the type. The holotype, originally figured only as a design by Matheron (1880), was sectioned and photographed by Douvillé (1895 Description. The specimen is composed of two slices, the upper part of the right valve with the left valve, and the one immediately below of the section figured by Douvillé. Although somewhat eroded, the upper valve shows the absence of pustules and the linear pores; the sub-central apex is slightly prominent and the first oscule is marginal. The transverse sections show that: the ligament ridge is triangular, long, with a lamellar distal part with a rounded distal end; the myo-cardinal apparatus is robust and the posterior myophore appears long and narrow in the lower section; there is no trace of an anterior-dorsal cavity; the first pillar is short and robust; the second pillar is moderately longer and has parallel sides. Remarks. Douvillé (1895), although provisionally, distinguished as H. serratus a specimen from the same level and locality than H. vidali, based mainly on the costae of the right valve and the pustules of the left valve. The study and comparison of numerous specimens of H. vidali make us consider that both species are synonymous. In our opinion, most specimens reported in literature as H. serratus from younger levels should be referred to another species, probably H. lamarcki Bayle, 1858.
Description. The specimen measures 21 mm in diameter and corresponds to the upper slice of the RV with the LV. The LV is flat, slightly concave and presents spaced linear pores and two oscules very far from the shell margin. The transverse section of the right valve shows that: the outer shell layer is thick, around 4 mm; the ligament ridge is a very short and very wide triangle with a rounded distal end; the two pillars are well developed, sub-equal, being the second somewhat longer and slightly pinched at the base.
Remarks on the type. The specimen was available to Douvillé, who published a photograph of it. The original figure of d'Hombres-Firmas was a lithograph.  (1895), as well as two more specimens under MGB 1111, corresponding to V. beaussetensis are preserved in the Vidal Collection at MGB. These specimens come probably from different horizons in the Montsec (Noguera).
Description. The holotype of H. praemoulinsi (MGB 1114) is a short and wide conical shell, with a maximal diameter of 60 mm, transversely cut close below the commissural plane. We consider it may correspond to a young specimen. The LV is partially eroded and shows the wide (3 mm) radial canals and the large round orifices of the eroded pores preserved only above one of the canals. The transverse section shows that: the ligament ridge is triangular, very long, prolonged distally in a thin lamella with a truncated distal end; the first pillar is short and robust; the second pillar is long, lamellar and curved towards the ligament ridge; in the myo-cardinal apparatus, AT is much larger than PT, and AT, CT, PT and PM are aligned in the central part of the shell; the presence of an anterior cavity nearly as large as the main cavity.
Remarks. We consider useful and reasonable Toucas' (1904) point of view, considering two species: a Coniacian one, Vaccinites moulinsi, and a Santonian one, Vaccinites beaussetensis, mainly distinguished by the distal end, truncate or not, of the ligament ridge besides other minor differences. Probably, Douvillé (1895) proposed the species praemoulinsi because he did not notice this character in the specimens of moulinsi he described.

Synonymy
Description. The left valve is small, 25 mm long and 13 mm high at the commissural plane; its coiled apex is only slightly prominent and located close to the dorsal margin of the commissure. Other larger specimens in the collection have a much more prominent apex and are much higher than longer at the commissure. Where preserved, the outer shell layer is very thin, around 0.5 mm. Inner characters, as described by Douvillé (1904), are well visible on the commissural view: PT is larger and more prominent than AT; PM is a prominent lamella parallel to the posterior margin; AM is large and located on an inward inclined platform; AT is prolonged ventrally in a septum separating the MC cavity from the PC which includes the CT socket; pallial canals are developed at the anterior, ventral and posterior sides of the valve; they are polygonal in section, arranged alternate in up to four concentric rows, and diminishing in size from the inner part to the outer margin. The RV is very short, 11 mm, gyropleuriform, its anterior-posterior diameter measures 30 mm, and presents a curved ligament furrow at the outer surface. It probably corresponds to a young specimen. As seen on the commissural view, CT is large, robust, very prominent and has a crescent section at its base. The socket of AT and AM, and the socket of PT and PM are located at each side of CT and oriented perpendicular to each other.