MALACOLOGIA, 1984, 25(1): 241-254
THE PARAGASTROPODA: A PROPOSAL FOR A NEW CLASS
OF PALEOZOIC MOLLUSCA
Robert M. Linsley^ & William M. Kier^
ABSTRACT
A functional analysis of the shells of the hyperstrophic and other apparently left-handed
"gastropods" of the Paleozoic suggests that these are not the shells of torted mollusks. They
should not, therefore, be considered gastropods, and as they do not fall within even a broad
concept of Monoplacophora we suggest that they be considered members of a new class of
mollusks. This group includes the following taxa which have previously been placed in the class
Gastropoda: Onychochilidae, Macluritidae, Pelagiellidae, Clisospiridae and possibly the Eu-
omphalacea. The following new taxa are proposed: class
BioStor
