Back
Simplicidinium insolitum

From Fensome et al., 2019:
Simplicidinium insolitum (Eaton, 1976, p.308, pl.21, figs.5,8; text-fig.25B) Fensome et al., 2016b, p.66. Holotype: Eaton 1966, pl.21, fig.5; Bujak et al., 1980, pl.5, fig.5; Fauconnier and Masure, 2004, pl.49, figs.5–6. Originally Impletosphaeridium, subsequently Cleistosphaeridium?, thirdly (and now) Simplicidinium. Age: Early-Middle Eocene (see Aubry, 1986)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Original description as Impletosphaeridium insolitum: [Eaton, 1976, p. 308]:

Diagnosis:
Cyst body spherical or subspherical, with a smooth or finely granular surface.
Processes numerous, slender and solid. They are simple or bifurcate, with small bulbous spherical or subspherical distal terminations, and may be thickened by the development of proximal membrane; membrane may also be present in the angle of bifurcation.

Dimensions:
Holotype: diameter of cyst body 22 µm; length of processes up to 9 µm.
Observed range: diameter of cyst body 15-24 µm; length of processes up to 9 µm (n = 10).

Affinities:
Most specimens have simple and bifurcate processes but a few have been observed in which all the processes are simple. The point of bifurcation usually occurs within the distal half of the process. The cyst body occasionally shows a polygonal opening, but no other indications of reflected tabulation have been observed. The unusual form of the processes distinguishes I. insolitum from all other described species of Impletosphaeridium.
Feedback/Report bug