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Protobatioladinium alhajrii
Figs. 8I, 9A, F, G.
Derivation of name. After Sa'id Al-Hajri, palynologist, exploration geologist, and author of pioneering palynological works in Saudi Arabia.
Holotype. Fig. 8I, well 780-91, sample 8, slide #2, EFC R55(2) UWA181309.
Diagnosis. Ovoidal dinoflagellate cysts with well-developed apical horn. Antapical region with indistinct bulges of more or less similar size. Cyst wall thin, often folded, and sparsely covered by granules that tend to be reduced or disappeared toward the apical side. More prominent granules/coni, evenly scattered on the mid and antapical regions of the cyst, define outstanding protruding sculptural elements. The archeopyle, not always visible, is compound and involve an operculum, often observed in place and consisting of the apical and two intercalary plates.
Size. Length without operculum 60 (66)73 mm (6 specimens), width 37(42)48 mm (6 specimens), length of operculum 20 (25)33 mm (6 specimens).
Comparison. Protobatioladium lindiensis Schrank 2005 differs in having a shorter apical horn and a dense cover of minute granules or baculate ornamentation. P. westburiensis Nøhr-Hansen 1986 differs by having a smooth wall. P. mercieri Feist- Burkhardt and Pross 1998 has an additional thin translucent membrane and lacks distinct antapical horn or bulges.
Remarks. Other Protobatioladinium species (e.g., P.westburiensis, P. mercieri, and P. indiensis) are reported from Jurassic deposits. If in situ, this species represents the last representative of the genus. Although not possible to firmly discard, possible reworking from Jurassic strata seems unlikely given the absence of other positively identified recycled Jurassic species in the assemblages.
Derivation of name. After Sa'id Al-Hajri, palynologist, exploration geologist, and author of pioneering palynological works in Saudi Arabia.
Holotype. Fig. 8I, well 780-91, sample 8, slide #2, EFC R55(2) UWA181309.
Diagnosis. Ovoidal dinoflagellate cysts with well-developed apical horn. Antapical region with indistinct bulges of more or less similar size. Cyst wall thin, often folded, and sparsely covered by granules that tend to be reduced or disappeared toward the apical side. More prominent granules/coni, evenly scattered on the mid and antapical regions of the cyst, define outstanding protruding sculptural elements. The archeopyle, not always visible, is compound and involve an operculum, often observed in place and consisting of the apical and two intercalary plates.
Size. Length without operculum 60 (66)73 mm (6 specimens), width 37(42)48 mm (6 specimens), length of operculum 20 (25)33 mm (6 specimens).
Comparison. Protobatioladium lindiensis Schrank 2005 differs in having a shorter apical horn and a dense cover of minute granules or baculate ornamentation. P. westburiensis Nøhr-Hansen 1986 differs by having a smooth wall. P. mercieri Feist- Burkhardt and Pross 1998 has an additional thin translucent membrane and lacks distinct antapical horn or bulges.
Remarks. Other Protobatioladinium species (e.g., P.westburiensis, P. mercieri, and P. indiensis) are reported from Jurassic deposits. If in situ, this species represents the last representative of the genus. Although not possible to firmly discard, possible reworking from Jurassic strata seems unlikely given the absence of other positively identified recycled Jurassic species in the assemblages.