RECENT BRACHIOPODS FROM SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN: FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THE LINGULIDAE AND ITS BIOGEOGRAPHIC IMPLICATIONS

The brachiopod fauna of the South Atlantic is significantly abundant and appears to be predominantly composed cosmopolitan species. However, until now there was no record inarticulate brachiopods Family Lingulidae in this region. present study describes first occurrence lingulid Atlantic. Seven specimens were collected on continental shelf Maranhão state, Northeastern Brazil, Western individuals identified as belonging genus Lingula. Although have great dispersion capability durintg their larval phase, hypothesis that these arrived Brazilian coast a result human activities cannot ruled out.
 Keywords: Lingula, subfilo Linguliformea, “Inarticulata”, brachiopods, Brazil.