An annotated catalogue of types of Silurian-Devonian brachiopod species from southern Belgium and northern France in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (1870-1945), with notes on those curated in other Belgian and foreign institutions.

The type material of 45 Pridolian-Devonian brachiopod species, described in southern Belgium and northern France (1870-1945) and curated at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (Brussels), is re-investigated and illustrated in order to facilitate future taxonomic revision; such a catalogue should allow a better assessment of the brachiopod diversity during the considered time span. Furthermore, 28 other Silurian-Devonian species originally described in Belgium (1850-1950), but housed in other Belgian or foreign institutions, are also discussed. For taxonomical purposes, the lectotypes of several species are selected; the latter were described by Asselberghs (Stropheodonta couviniensis, Plethorhyncha percostata var. gdoumontensis, Athyris dorlodoti, Retzia gdoumontensis, Dielasma maillieuxi), Béclard (Orthis dorsoplicata, Orthis musischura, Rhynchonella parvula (non R. parvula Eudes-Deslongchamps)), de Ryckholt (Lingula amayana), Dewalque (Crania corneti), and Maillieux (Discina (Discina) forrierensis, Pholidostrophia extensa, Anoplia theorassensis, Schuchertella durbutensis, Streptorhynchus rahiri, Pentamerus loei). Re-investigation of the ambocoeliid Spirifer pentameroides Stainier highlighted the homonymy between Diazoma Dürkoop, 1970 (Brachiopoda) and Diazoma Lamarck, 1816 (Tunicata); the former genus must be rejected and replaced by a valid synonym, namely Kelusia Mamedov, 1978. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]