Systematics and biogeography of the Permian bryozoans in Europe

The systematics, biogeography and palaeoecology of bryozoans from marine sediments of the Zechstein in Germany and of the marine Permian in South Europe (NW-Tethys) were studied. This study points on the significance of the inner auto zooecial morphology for the fenestrate taxonomy. Lower Permian bryozoan faunas of NW-Tethys display distinct relations to those of the Arctic and Russian Platform. Upper Permian bryozoan faunas of the NW-Tethys show similarities to the bryozoan faunas of Australia and the Far East. Bryozoan biogeography points on closing of a seaway between NW-Tethys. and Uralian Sea apparently by the End of the Early Artinskian. No connection between Upper Permian Zechstein Sea and NW-Tethys existed. The age of the Zechstein is supposed to be Kazanian.