Telychian Bryozoa, Matrix (Bryozoans from the lower Silurian (Telychian) Hanchiatien Formation from southern Chongqing, South China)

<p>Eight bryozoan species are described from the Hanchiatien Formation (lower Silurian, Telychian) of southern Chongqing, South China. Four species are new: the trepostomes <i>Asperopora sinensis </i>n. sp., <i>Trematopora jiebeiensis</i> n. sp., and <i>Trematopora tenuis </i>n. sp., and the fenestrate <i>Moorephylloporina parvula</i> n. sp. One species, a cystoporate <i>Hennigopora</i> sp. is described in open nomenclature. <i>Moorephylloporina parvula</i> n. sp. is eurytopic, occurring in all types of facies within the bioherms. Erect <i>Moorephylloporina</i>, <i>Trematopora</i> and <i>Leioclema</i> form pioneering communities on weakly cemented substrates, whereas encrusting <i>Fistulipora</i>, <i>Hennigopora</i> and <i>Asperopora</i> occur on hardgrounds and form densely compact framestones. Robust branched <i>Trematopora</i> and <i>Leioclema</i> tend to occur out of the reef core (framework) where they may have formed reef-flank thickets in more agitated conditions. The generic composition of the studied fauna correlates with other localities in South China, and they show general palaeobiogeographic relations to Siberia and Indiana, USA.</p>