Luis Mariano Vidal (1842-1922) rudist taxa revisited

Abstract

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.