Early Late Cambrian Trilobites OF Australo‐Sinian Aspect From The Montagne Noire, Southern France

Ten species of Late Cambrian trilobites occur in a limestone lens at the base of the Val d'Homs Formation in the Cesse Brook section at Ferrals‐les‐Montagnes in the Montagne Noire. Associated in this lens are species referred to Ammagnostus ( Ammagnostus ), Kormagnostus ?, Olentella , Stigmatoa , Shengia , Abharella , Proceratopyge , ( Proceratopyge ), Prochuangia Palaeadotes and Paraacidaspis . Of these, Stigmatoa courtessolei and Paraacidaspis ultima are described as new species. The Ferrals fauna has a decidedly Australo‐Sinian palaeobiogeographical relationship, with the implication that previously developed models suggesting a high latitudinal position for southern France during the Late Cambrian should perhaps be revised. key words : Late Cambrian, trilobites, southern France, Ferrals‐les‐Montagnes, Montagne Noire, biostratigraphy, biogeography.