A new Permian species of 'Mooreoceras' (Cephalopoda: Orthocerida) from northwestern Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

A new othocerid cephalopod species, 'Mooreoceras sibumasuense' sp. nov., is described from the lowest part of the Chuping Formation in Bukit Tungku Lembu of the Perlis State, north-western Peninsular Malaysia. The holotype of the species occurs in argillaceous limestone that is most likely late Kungurian (late Early Permian) in age and was deposited under cool-temperate water conditions on the Sibumasu Terrane of the eastern Cimmerian Continent. Most Permian species of 'Mooreoceras' appear to be palaebiogeographically confined to cool to cool-temperate palaeoclimate zones of the Australian Gondwana to Sibumasu region. 'Mooreoceras sibumasuense' sp. nov. belongs to a group that probably survived due to isolation from high predatory stress in tropical to temperate seas.