Hoffmanigraptus n. gen., a new retiolitine (Graptolithina), an early member of the Plectograptus lineage from the Silurian of Baltica, Poland

Most upper Homerian and Ludfordian retiolitines have a tubarium with hexagonal meshes zigzag pattern in the middle part of their lateral walls, shallow ancora umbrella, free nema. Hoffmanigraptus varsoviensis n. gen., sp. is described from isolated, three-dimensional material, Colonograptus praedeubeli Biozone (upper Homerian, Silurian) Poland, Baltica, represents one earliest forms this construction. This type represented by Doliograptus Lenz & Kozłowska-Dawidziuk, 2002 Spinograptus Bouček Münch, 1952, differing gen. mainly larger proximal orifices, clathrial lists on as well size shape tubaria. has widening medially, tapering towards distal end forming finite tubarium, possible three-vaned nematularium. Flattened specimens Plectograptus? ovatus Kozłowska, Štorch, 2001 karlsteinensis 2001, preserved rock surface Barrandian area are assigned to new genus. They same age, show main features form. regarded an early member Plectograptus clade.