A new Late Ordovician polychaete genus Kaljoprion, with K. laevaensis gen. et sp. nov. as the type species, is described from the Nabala Regional Stage of the Laeva-18 drill core, central Estonia. The genus has a labidognath-type apparatus with the first and second maxillae equipped with anterior denticles developed into characteristic transversal ridges. Similar dentaries are observed in the jaws of distantly related Rhytiprion, suggesting a common feeding habit of both genera and representing a case of convergent evolution among Palaeozoic polychaetes.
Bergman, C. F., Eriksson, M. E. & Calner, M. 2003. The jawed annelid Rhytiprion magnus Kielan-Jaworowska, 1966 – a muddy bottom dweller. GFF, 125, 191–199.
Dales, R. P. 1963. Annelids. Hutchinson University Library, London, 200 pp.
Eriksson, M. E., Bergman, C. F. & Jeppsson, L. 2004. Silurian scolecodonts. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 131, 269–300.
doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2004.04.001
Grube, A. E. 1850. Die Familien der Anneliden. Archiv für Naturgeschichte, Berlin, 16, 249–364.
Hints, O. 1998. Late Viruan (Ordovician) polychaete jaws from North Estonia and the St. Petersburg Region. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 43, 471–516.
Hints, O. 2000. Ordovician eunicid polychaetes of Estonia and surrounding areas: a review of their distribution and diversification. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 113, 41–55.
doi:10.1016/S0034-6667(00)00051-8
Hints, O. & Eriksson, M. E. 2007. Diversification and biogeography of scolecodont-bearing polychaetes in the Ordovician. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 245, 95–114.
doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2006.02.029
Jansonius, J. & Craig, J. H. 1971. Scolecodonts: I. Descriptive terminology and revision of systematic nomenclature; II. Lectotypes, new names for homonyms, index of species. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, 19, 1–251.
Kielan-Jaworowska, Z. 1966. Polychaete jaw apparatuses from the Ordovician and Silurian of Poland and a comparison with modern forms. Palaeontologia Polonica, 16, 1–152.
Raukas, A. & Teedumäe, A. (eds). 1997. Geology and Mineral Resources of Estonia. Estonian Academy Publishers, Tallinn, 436 pp.