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Meristaulax
From Williams et al., 2017:
[Meristaulax, Sarjeant, 1984a, p. 160
Junior homonym: Meristaulax, Brenner, 1988
Type species: as Gonyaulax granulata, Klement, 1960 (pl.4, figs.10–11; text-figs.18–19); for lectotypes see Meristaulax granulata]
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Original description: [Sarjeant, 1984]:
Description:
Proximate to proximochorate dinoflagellate cysts typically of small to intermediate size. Ambitus ovoidal to broadly ellipsoidal or subpolygonal, typically or consistently with an apical horn or prominence and with parasutural crests of variable form. Development of cavation at the apex frequent or consistent (typically acrocavate to cornucavate). Antapical and lateral cavations lacking.
Paratabulation 0-2 pr, 3-4`, 0-2a, 6", 6-7c, 6```, 1-?2p, 0-1pv, 1````; the sulcus also may show subdivision into paraplates. Paraplate 4` is quite large and roughly quadrate, having a moderately long boundary with a reduced 6". The boundary between 4` and 6" intersects with the right lateral boundary of 1` in a position anterior to, or almost at the level of, the junction of the latter paraplate with the sulcus.
Cingulum strongly or weakly helicoid; between its two ends, the sulcus is typically straight. Crests on parasutures smooth, serrate or variably developed into denticles or spines of regular or irregular length and character. Accessory crests of similarly variable character or marked by single or double lines of spines are developed on the major paraplates. Height of crests variable, but always less than 1/4 of the cyst width. Gonal spines, of small to moderate height, present or absent. Surface of cyst smooth, granular, punctate or showing other small scale ornament, but lacking any general cover of spines.
Archaeopyle single-plate precingular, formed by loss of paraplate 3"; operculum reduced.
Remarks:
We agree with the position taken by Stover and Evitt (1978, p. 150) and by Helenes (1984, p. 122) that the species described originally as Gonyaulax granulata Klement 1960, p. 39, pl. 4, figs. 10-13; text-figs. 18- 20 and most recently selected as the type species of Meristaulax by Sarjeant (1984a, p. 160) belongs in the genus Cribroperidinium, where it was placed prior to Sarjeant`s action. Accordingly, Meristaulax becomes a junior synonym of Cribroperidinium. However, we concur with Sarjeant (1984a, p. 158, 160,162) that Cribroperidinium granuligera (Klement 1960) Stover and Evitt 1978 and Acanthaulax angulosa (Gitmez 1970) Stover and Evitt 1978 (placed in Meristaulax by Sarjeant and Gocht in Sarjeant, 1984a, p. 160) are not conspecific with Cribroperidinium granulatum (Klement 1960) Stover and Evitt 1978, as proposed by Fisher and Riley (1980, p. 321).
[Meristaulax, Sarjeant, 1984a, p. 160
Junior homonym: Meristaulax, Brenner, 1988
Type species: as Gonyaulax granulata, Klement, 1960 (pl.4, figs.10–11; text-figs.18–19); for lectotypes see Meristaulax granulata]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original description: [Sarjeant, 1984]:
Description:
Proximate to proximochorate dinoflagellate cysts typically of small to intermediate size. Ambitus ovoidal to broadly ellipsoidal or subpolygonal, typically or consistently with an apical horn or prominence and with parasutural crests of variable form. Development of cavation at the apex frequent or consistent (typically acrocavate to cornucavate). Antapical and lateral cavations lacking.
Paratabulation 0-2 pr, 3-4`, 0-2a, 6", 6-7c, 6```, 1-?2p, 0-1pv, 1````; the sulcus also may show subdivision into paraplates. Paraplate 4` is quite large and roughly quadrate, having a moderately long boundary with a reduced 6". The boundary between 4` and 6" intersects with the right lateral boundary of 1` in a position anterior to, or almost at the level of, the junction of the latter paraplate with the sulcus.
Cingulum strongly or weakly helicoid; between its two ends, the sulcus is typically straight. Crests on parasutures smooth, serrate or variably developed into denticles or spines of regular or irregular length and character. Accessory crests of similarly variable character or marked by single or double lines of spines are developed on the major paraplates. Height of crests variable, but always less than 1/4 of the cyst width. Gonal spines, of small to moderate height, present or absent. Surface of cyst smooth, granular, punctate or showing other small scale ornament, but lacking any general cover of spines.
Archaeopyle single-plate precingular, formed by loss of paraplate 3"; operculum reduced.
Remarks:
We agree with the position taken by Stover and Evitt (1978, p. 150) and by Helenes (1984, p. 122) that the species described originally as Gonyaulax granulata Klement 1960, p. 39, pl. 4, figs. 10-13; text-figs. 18- 20 and most recently selected as the type species of Meristaulax by Sarjeant (1984a, p. 160) belongs in the genus Cribroperidinium, where it was placed prior to Sarjeant`s action. Accordingly, Meristaulax becomes a junior synonym of Cribroperidinium. However, we concur with Sarjeant (1984a, p. 158, 160,162) that Cribroperidinium granuligera (Klement 1960) Stover and Evitt 1978 and Acanthaulax angulosa (Gitmez 1970) Stover and Evitt 1978 (placed in Meristaulax by Sarjeant and Gocht in Sarjeant, 1984a, p. 160) are not conspecific with Cribroperidinium granulatum (Klement 1960) Stover and Evitt 1978, as proposed by Fisher and Riley (1980, p. 321).