Genus Skryjelites gen. nov.

Type species. Skryjelites auritus sp. nov.

Etymology. Derived from the name of the village of Skryje, Czech Republic.

Diagnosis. Hyolithid having monoclaviculate operculum with narrow clavicles of T-shaped cross-section and with broadly diverging cardinal processes. Ventral side of conch slightly vaulted; dorsal side strongly convex; lateral edges of conch sharply rounded.

Description. Cardinal processes with opened anterior ends, posterior ends of cone convoluted and touching the inner surface of the operculum. Conical shield slightly vaulted; cardinal shield flat. Sculpture of external surface consisting of very fine growth-lines.

Drop-like, paired dorsal apertural muscle scars laterally elongated. Transversally long muscle scar developed on ventral side; this scar is in its middle broken in a very obtuse angle. Apical septa absent. Sculpture of dorsal side composed of transverse, punctuate riblets arranged in oblong lines. Ventral side of the conch bears fine growth-lines.

Discussion. Skryjelites gen. nov. is a monotypic genus which resembles the Mediterranean Ordovician genus Elegantilites Marek, 1967 regarding the sculpture of the dorsal side. However, the clavicles in all known species of Elegantilites show fully opened and nearly diverging bilobate cardinal processes of hook-like cross-section. Nevertheless, it is possible, that Skryjelites gen. nov. represents one of parent morphological types of Elegantilites.

Occurrence. Middle Cambrian, Skryje–Týřovice Basin, Bohemia.