Permian crinoids from the type-section of the Callytharra Formation, Callytharra Springs, Western Australia

An extremely diverse Permian crinoid fauna, one of the largest known from the Australian Palaeozoic, is described from the type section of the Callytharra Formation, west of Callytharra Springs, Western Australia. Forty species are recognized including 14 camerates, 25 inadunates, and 1 flexible. One new genus, Tapinocrinus, and three new species, T. macurdai, T. ingrami and Notiocatillocrinus callytharraensis are recorded. Recognition of Notiocatillocrinus and a dichocrinid in Western Australia establishes additional links with the eastern Australia Early Permian marine faunas. Eleven of the species are known to occur in the Permian of Timor. Recognition of these species suggests that the accepted age of the Callytharra Formation or, more likely, the Timor crinoid-bearing beds should be reconsidered.