The trilobite family Shumardiidae is characterized by small size, lack of eyes, yoked librigenae, and a small number of thoracic segments. Here we report the successive occurrence of three middle Furongian shumardiid species from the Sesong Formation of Korea: Elaphraella? taebaeksanensis n. sp., Elaphraella microforma, and Elaphraella nodus. They appear to represent the oldest shumardiid morphology known so far. This genus lacks the anterolateral swellings on the glabella and has a conical glabella. Its yoked librigenae also encompass a comparatively wide genal field. Elaphraella? taebaeksanensis has a highly inflexed facial suture which may reflect the presence of small palpebral lobes. Taken together, the plesiomorphic morphology of the Shumardiidae can be summarized as having a conical glabella, small palpebral lobes, highly arched anterior cephalic margin, a wide librigenal field, and no anterolateral swellings on the glabella.

You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.