Author	Schindler, K.
Year	1992
Journal	Palõontologische Zeitschrift, Stuttgart, v.66, p.199-211, fig.1-11.
Title	Taxonomie der Gattung Chiropteridium Gocht (Dinophyceae) im Rupelium des Mainzer Beckens (Mitteloligozan, SW Deutschland).

Abstract Schindler, K., 1992: Taxonomie der Gattung Chiropteridium Gocht (Dinophyceae) im Rupelium des Mainzer Beckens (Mitteloligozan, SW Deutschland); Palõontologische Zeitschrift, Stuttgart, v.66, p.199-211, fig.1-11. Dinoflagellate cysts of various species of the genus Chiropteridium Gocht, 1960 have been found already on several occasions in Middle and, to a lesser extent, also Upper Oligocene sediments of Mainz Basin (Lower Meeressand [Marine Sand] to Cyrenenmergel [Cyrenoid Marl]) (Weiler in Doebl et al., 1980; Weiler, 1982). They were described as Chiropteridium aspinatum, C. lobospinosum, C. "dispersum" (now C. mespilanum) and C. "partispinatum" (now C. mespilanum). But there were also forms which could not be definitely determined (Weiler, 1982; Weiler in Sonne, 1973). To clarify the taxonomy of the genus Chiropteridium in Mainz Basin, ca. 500 specimens of this genus were studied with SEM micrographs. The cysts came from sediments of the Middle Rupelian Fischschiefer (Fish Shale] (clay basin facies) and the Meeressand (Marine Sand] (sandy coastal facies). This stratigraphic range is known for an abundant occurrence of Chiropteridium (Doebl et al., 1980; Weiler, 1982), and was therefore chosen in order to assure that the entire spectrum of forms would be covered. All specimens were first divided into five morphotypes based on purely morphological criteria without any definite taxonomic import. This study shows that two of the morphotypes (A and D) could be assigned to two existing species. A new species is erected here for morphotype C. The others (B and E) could not be assigned to any existing species, but more extensive material will have to be acquired before a new description might be written.