Back
Apteodinium comptum

Apteodinium comptum, (Duxbury, 1980), Helenes, 1984

Originaily Gonyaulacysta, subsequently Cribroperidinium, thirdly Acanthaulax, fourthly Apteodinium.
Tax. jr. synonym of Apteodinium (now Cribroperidinium) spinoreticulatum (McIntyre and Brideaux, 1980) Helenes, 1984, according to Lucas-Clark, 1987.

HoIotype: Duxbury, 1980, pl.2, figs.1,2,4; Jan du Chêne et al., 1986, pl.10, figs.9-10
Locus typicus: Speeton Clay, Speeton, England
Stratum typicum: Barremian

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original description as Gonyaulacysta comta: [Duxbury, 1980, p. 122]:

Diagnosis:
A fairly thick-walled dinoflagellate cyst with a spheroidal to ellipsoidal body surmounted by a distinct apical horn.
Paratabulation typical for the genus is outlined by generally low, distally entire parasutural crests which are sometimes perforate. The paraplates are completely covered by short, conical spines, each of which have ridges radiating from their bases onto the body surface. The paraplate areas are, therefore, covered by a complex system of fine ridges.
The archeopyle is precingular, formed by displacement of paraplate 3".

Dimensions:
Holotype: 80 x 64 µm. Overall: 97 (83) 76 x 76 (65) 54 µm

Affinities:
In its overall morphology, G. compta n. sp. resembles Trichodinium castaneum (Deflandre, 1935) Clarke & Verdier, 1967, especially in the ornament of conical spines and surface ridges. G. compta differs, however, in having a distinct apical horn (T. castaneum displays only an apical "tuft") and in displaying a complete paratabulation pattern (the genus Trichodinium lacks paratabulation except that the paracingulum and parasulcus may often be seen).
Feedback/Report bug