Novasalenia gen. nov.: a remarkable Late Cenomanian echinoid from the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (Czech Republic)

A new saleniid echinoid, Novasalenia gen. nov., with the species N. predbojensis sp. nov. and N. plananyensis sp. nov., is described from rocky-coast deposits (Korycany Member, Peruc-Korycany Formation, boundary interval of Rotalipora cushmani and Praeactinocamax plenus biozones, Upper Cenomanian) of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin. The genus is distinguished by the combination of all primary tubercles being perforate and crenulate, the presence of some diadematoid triads between prevailing diads of ambulacral plates above the ambitus, the development of up to four elemental compound plates below the ambitus, strongly broadened peristomial portions of the ambulacra with highly crowded pore pairs, hydropores being located in furrows at the distal margin of the madreporite, and perianal tubercles. Palaeoautecologic and taphonomic features of the tests combined with sedimentological data indicate the upper parts of steeply sloping rocks exposed to strongly agitated water as the probable habitat of Novasalenia.