New biostratigraphically important chitinozoans from the Kukruse Regional Stage, Upper Ordovician of Baltoscandia

Three new chitinozoan species, Conochitina savalaensis, Conochitina viruana and Belonechitina intonsa, are described. All these species are stratigraphically restricted to the Kukruse age (lowermost Sandbian, Laufeldochitina stentor chitinozoan Zone) and have been recorded in numerous East Baltic sections as well as from NE Poland and NW Ukraine and Sweden. Their short temporal range and relative abundance point to a great biostratigraphical value for regional correlations near the base of the Upper Ordovician.