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Callaiosphaeridium asymmetricum
From Fensome et al., 2019:
Callaiosphaeridium asymmetricum (Deflandre and Courteville, 1939, p.100–101, pl.4, figs.1–2) Davey and Williams, 1966b, p.104.
Emendation: Clarke and Verdier, 1967, p.43, as Hexasphaera asymmetrica. Holotype: Deflandre and Courteville,
1939, pl.4, fig.1; Fensome et al., 1993a, fig.1 — p.949. Originally Hystrichosphaeridium, subsequently (and now)
Callaiosphaeridium, thirdly Hexasphaera (combination illegitimate). Age: Senonian.
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Original description as Hystrichosphaeridium asymmetricum: [Deflandre and Courtville 1939, p. 100-101]: (Translation: LPP):
Diagnosis:
The brown, spheroidal shell bears six radiating, tubular appendices around the equator, often unequal in diameter as well as in length. These processes are widened at their distal ends, which are finely denticulate and bear several quite long flexible spines. At the two poles there are two roughly pentagonal fields, unequal, bearing solid, furcate processes at the corners, of very diverse form. These processes unite at their bases to form ridges or ribs which define the polar field, then producing more or less distinct meridian crests, which seem to reach the opposite polar field, as follows from the semi- schematical drawing (however, drawing given under reserve). One of the meridian ribs seems to bear, towards the equatorial plane, a simple or furcate, straight or bent process, visible on the left side of the aforementioned drawing. Some of the polar processes may be lacking (like in the holotype, where here are only 4); another time, however, they split in two branches, uniting towards their base.
Dimensions:
Range of Speeton Clay forms: Diameter of central body: 34-43 µm; length of cingular processes: 11-20 µm. Number of species measured: 4.
Range of Cenomanian forms: Diameter of central body: 37-58 µm; length of cingular processes: 10-32 µm. Number of species counted: 3.
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Supplemental description (annotated) as Callaiosphaeridium asymmetricum:
Davey and Williams 1966, p. 104:
Description:
An archaeopyle is usually present, formed by the loss of the portion of epitract just above the tubular cingular processes. The five postcingular processes are joined by ribs forming a pentagon from which radiate ribs to the cingular processes. Along one of these ribs are usually situated two processes - one posterior intercalary and one sulcal. The apical region possesses a hexagon of 6 precingular processes and a apical process which is sometimes deeply divided and arises from the centre of the hexagon.
The reflected tabulation therefore is: 1' (-2'), ?6'', 6c, 5''', 1p, 0'''' and 0-1s.
Variation: Barremian form tend to be considerably less spinous and more globular (i.e. small spaces between the endophragm and the periphragm) than Cenomanian forms. In many of the British examples, the elevation of the ribs joining the hypotractal processes forms quite well developed septa.
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Emended description as Hexasphaera assymetrica:
Clarke and Verdier, 1967, p. 43-44:
Description:
Main body more or less circular in outline, probably originally spherical.
Tabulation distinct.
The apical and antapical plates bear at each corner a solid slender process which is openly bifurcate at the extremity. A ledge connects each process; the ledge is smooth at the top but may contain perforations, especially at the base. Six large, hollow, tubular appendages are present around the equator (reflecting perhaps a girdle). These are long and expanded distally from which recurved filaments project (see text-fig. 17). The disposition of these large processes with regard to the three large plates is such that each plate has one process in the centre and half a process at its junction with the next plate, i.e. three processes are situated on the sutures and three are centra-tabular (see pl. 7, figs. 1,2). The sutures separating the large plates are frequently perforate giving a 'beaded' appearance and can often be seen to extend onto three of the large processes.
Archaeopyle formed by the loss of the apical plate. Generally the amount of buckling seen in most specimens precludes a clear observation of this feature.
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Emended description Niechwedowicz, 2021:
Synonymy.
1939 Hystrichosphaeridium asymmetricum Deflandre & Courteville: p. 100, 101, pl. 4, figs 1, 2.
1966 Callaiosphaeridium asymmetricum (Deflandre & Courteville 1939) Davey & Williams: p. 104, pl. 8, figs 9, 10, pl. 9, fig. 2.
1967 Hexasphaera asymmetrica (Deflandre & Courteville
1939) Clarke & Verdier: p. 43, pl. 7, figs 1–3, text-fig. 17 (combination illegitimate).
1980 Callaiosphaeridium asymmetricum (Deflandre & Courteville 1939) Davey & Williams 1966 – Duxbury: pl. 8, figs 3, 6, 11.
1983 Callaiosphaeridium asymmetricum (Deflandre & Courteville 1939) Davey & Williams 1966 – Duxbury: pl. 5, figs 11, 12, text-fig. 18.
Emended diagnosis. Gonyaulacacean (leptodinioid) chorate cysts with subspheroidal to ovoidal central body, bearing gonal processes and sutural features (ridges, septa) reflecting plate arrangement; suturocavate. The processes are of two types: (i) six prominent equatorial processes, tubular, broad, distally open; and (ii) slender processes, solid, distally furcate, located elsewhere on epi- and hypocyst excluding cingulum. The slender processes are connected by sutural septa with U-shaped and entire distal margin; the equatorial processes are occasionally connected to each other and to the slender ones by low septa. The archaeopyle is epicystal.
Emended description. Chorate cysts with subspheroidal to ovoidal central body, bearing gonal (processes) and sutural (ridges and septa) ornament; suturocavate. Epi- and hypocyst are of similar size, or epicyst is slightly smaller. The central body surface is internally smooth, and externally bears rugulate ornament covering most of the plate areas; plate margins are smooth, and often regularly perforate (lines of perforations parallel to plate boundaries); septa and processes have smooth walls. The processes are of two types: (i) six equatorial tubular processes located in gonal positions between cingular and postcingular series; and (ii) slender gonal processes, positioned elsewhere on epi- and hypocyst, except for margins delimiting cingulum. The equatorial processes are distinct, tubiform, with oval to elliptical cross-sections (wider in equatorial plane), distally are flared and open, terminating with a few aculeate spines (c. 7–10 mm in length). The equatorial processes bear three to four longitudinal striae (faint, poorly expressed) extending from postcingular and cingular sutural ridges. The slender processes are generally solid (may be partially hollow), resulting from merging of sutural septa at gonal points; distally are furcate (usually trifurcate), with branches more or less perpendicular to process stem and parallel to sutures; occasionally with additional bifurcation of second order. The slender processes are connected by a network of U-shaped septa, variable in height, with entire distal margin; septa are equal in height to process length, with minimum height at half distance between the processes. Rarely, the equatorial processes are connected by low septa to the slender processes, or are interconnected basally by septa or septum-like hollow membranous structures. The tabulation formula is 40, 60’, 6c, 60 ’’, 1p, 5 s (ps, ls, rs, ras, as), 10’’’, expressed by the archaeopyle and arrangement of gonal and sutural features, indicating leptodinioid pattern (sexiform hypocystal configuration, L-type ventral organisation, and neutral torsion of the hypocyst). Sutural ridge between plates 10 and 40 may be reduced; ridges outlining plate 10’’ and sulcal plates may be reduced or absent. The cingulum is relatively narrow, laevorotatory, shifted by one cingulum width. The archaeopyle is epicystal (formula A1–40 þ P1–60 ’), operculum is free or attached ventrally.
Dimensions (minimum (mean) maximum).
Central body length (operculum attached): 40 (50.5) 62 mm, central body width: 37 (48) 60 mm, equatorial process length: 18 (24.6) 32 mm, slender process length: 13 (19.6) 25 mm, maximum septa height: 13 (19.6) 25 mm, minimum intergonal septa height: 2 (4.7) 9 mm (42 specimens measured).
Remarks. The present emendation defines more precisely the distribution of the sutural and gonal features on the cyst surface and their correspondence to the tabulation pattern (see also Figure 4). Additionally, it highlights the nature of tubular equatorial processes that are in gonal positions in the type species of the genus, as are the slender ones. The central body wall in C. asymmetricum is relatively thin (c. 0.5–1 mm), but robust. It is homogeneous in structure with indistinguishable layering (Plate 2, figure 8). The surface of the central body wall is smooth, foveolate, or granular under TLM. SEM studies prove it to be rugulate, resembling the wrinkled skin of withered fruit (Plate 2, figures 5–7, 12; Plate 3, figures 6, 7, 9–12). Plate margins are smooth, with the characteristic lines of perforations, which is a manifestation of the suturocavate septal nature (Plate 2, figures 5–7; Plate 3, figures 5–7). The most characteristic features of this species are the epi- and hypocystal slender gonal processes connected by U-shaped sutural septa (Plate 2, figures 6, 7, 13). The slender processes are distally furcate (usually trifurcate), commonly with additional second-order bifurcation (Plate 2, figure 13; Plate 3, figure 12) similar to the processes in Spiniferites ramosus (Ehrenberg 1837) Mantell 1854. The six tubular (equatorial) processes in C. asymmetricum bear distally a few characteristic, aculeate spines (Plate 2, figures 5, 9, 10) that arise from the outer surface of the process wall. The spines arise perpendicularly to the process wall and curve distally towards the central body.
Recorded stratigraphical range. Middle upper Campanian–uppermost Campanian, upper-third ‘Inoceramus’ inkermanensis Zone–lowermost ‘Inoceramus’ redbirdensis Zone (recorded in Piotrawin, Podole, Raj, and Raj North).
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Notes:
G.L. Williams short notes on species, Mesozoic-Cenozoic dinocyst course, Urbino, Italy, May 17-22, 1999 - LPP VIEWER CD-ROM 99.5.
Callaiosphaeridium asymmetricum (Deflandre and Courteville, 1939) Davey and Williams, 1966b, emend. Clarke and Verdier, 1967. This species has six, large, hollow processes in an equatorial position. Distally, the processes have long tendril-like extensions. The apical and antapical plates have a solid, slender process, which is bifurcate, at each corner. The archeopyle is epicystal.
Size: central body about 40 µm, processes 22-34 µm.
Callaiosphaeridium asymmetricum (Deflandre and Courteville, 1939, p.100–101, pl.4, figs.1–2) Davey and Williams, 1966b, p.104.
Emendation: Clarke and Verdier, 1967, p.43, as Hexasphaera asymmetrica. Holotype: Deflandre and Courteville,
1939, pl.4, fig.1; Fensome et al., 1993a, fig.1 — p.949. Originally Hystrichosphaeridium, subsequently (and now)
Callaiosphaeridium, thirdly Hexasphaera (combination illegitimate). Age: Senonian.
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Original description as Hystrichosphaeridium asymmetricum: [Deflandre and Courtville 1939, p. 100-101]: (Translation: LPP):
Diagnosis:
The brown, spheroidal shell bears six radiating, tubular appendices around the equator, often unequal in diameter as well as in length. These processes are widened at their distal ends, which are finely denticulate and bear several quite long flexible spines. At the two poles there are two roughly pentagonal fields, unequal, bearing solid, furcate processes at the corners, of very diverse form. These processes unite at their bases to form ridges or ribs which define the polar field, then producing more or less distinct meridian crests, which seem to reach the opposite polar field, as follows from the semi- schematical drawing (however, drawing given under reserve). One of the meridian ribs seems to bear, towards the equatorial plane, a simple or furcate, straight or bent process, visible on the left side of the aforementioned drawing. Some of the polar processes may be lacking (like in the holotype, where here are only 4); another time, however, they split in two branches, uniting towards their base.
Dimensions:
Range of Speeton Clay forms: Diameter of central body: 34-43 µm; length of cingular processes: 11-20 µm. Number of species measured: 4.
Range of Cenomanian forms: Diameter of central body: 37-58 µm; length of cingular processes: 10-32 µm. Number of species counted: 3.
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Supplemental description (annotated) as Callaiosphaeridium asymmetricum:
Davey and Williams 1966, p. 104:
Description:
An archaeopyle is usually present, formed by the loss of the portion of epitract just above the tubular cingular processes. The five postcingular processes are joined by ribs forming a pentagon from which radiate ribs to the cingular processes. Along one of these ribs are usually situated two processes - one posterior intercalary and one sulcal. The apical region possesses a hexagon of 6 precingular processes and a apical process which is sometimes deeply divided and arises from the centre of the hexagon.
The reflected tabulation therefore is: 1' (-2'), ?6'', 6c, 5''', 1p, 0'''' and 0-1s.
Variation: Barremian form tend to be considerably less spinous and more globular (i.e. small spaces between the endophragm and the periphragm) than Cenomanian forms. In many of the British examples, the elevation of the ribs joining the hypotractal processes forms quite well developed septa.
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Emended description as Hexasphaera assymetrica:
Clarke and Verdier, 1967, p. 43-44:
Description:
Main body more or less circular in outline, probably originally spherical.
Tabulation distinct.
The apical and antapical plates bear at each corner a solid slender process which is openly bifurcate at the extremity. A ledge connects each process; the ledge is smooth at the top but may contain perforations, especially at the base. Six large, hollow, tubular appendages are present around the equator (reflecting perhaps a girdle). These are long and expanded distally from which recurved filaments project (see text-fig. 17). The disposition of these large processes with regard to the three large plates is such that each plate has one process in the centre and half a process at its junction with the next plate, i.e. three processes are situated on the sutures and three are centra-tabular (see pl. 7, figs. 1,2). The sutures separating the large plates are frequently perforate giving a 'beaded' appearance and can often be seen to extend onto three of the large processes.
Archaeopyle formed by the loss of the apical plate. Generally the amount of buckling seen in most specimens precludes a clear observation of this feature.
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Emended description Niechwedowicz, 2021:
Synonymy.
1939 Hystrichosphaeridium asymmetricum Deflandre & Courteville: p. 100, 101, pl. 4, figs 1, 2.
1966 Callaiosphaeridium asymmetricum (Deflandre & Courteville 1939) Davey & Williams: p. 104, pl. 8, figs 9, 10, pl. 9, fig. 2.
1967 Hexasphaera asymmetrica (Deflandre & Courteville
1939) Clarke & Verdier: p. 43, pl. 7, figs 1–3, text-fig. 17 (combination illegitimate).
1980 Callaiosphaeridium asymmetricum (Deflandre & Courteville 1939) Davey & Williams 1966 – Duxbury: pl. 8, figs 3, 6, 11.
1983 Callaiosphaeridium asymmetricum (Deflandre & Courteville 1939) Davey & Williams 1966 – Duxbury: pl. 5, figs 11, 12, text-fig. 18.
Emended diagnosis. Gonyaulacacean (leptodinioid) chorate cysts with subspheroidal to ovoidal central body, bearing gonal processes and sutural features (ridges, septa) reflecting plate arrangement; suturocavate. The processes are of two types: (i) six prominent equatorial processes, tubular, broad, distally open; and (ii) slender processes, solid, distally furcate, located elsewhere on epi- and hypocyst excluding cingulum. The slender processes are connected by sutural septa with U-shaped and entire distal margin; the equatorial processes are occasionally connected to each other and to the slender ones by low septa. The archaeopyle is epicystal.
Emended description. Chorate cysts with subspheroidal to ovoidal central body, bearing gonal (processes) and sutural (ridges and septa) ornament; suturocavate. Epi- and hypocyst are of similar size, or epicyst is slightly smaller. The central body surface is internally smooth, and externally bears rugulate ornament covering most of the plate areas; plate margins are smooth, and often regularly perforate (lines of perforations parallel to plate boundaries); septa and processes have smooth walls. The processes are of two types: (i) six equatorial tubular processes located in gonal positions between cingular and postcingular series; and (ii) slender gonal processes, positioned elsewhere on epi- and hypocyst, except for margins delimiting cingulum. The equatorial processes are distinct, tubiform, with oval to elliptical cross-sections (wider in equatorial plane), distally are flared and open, terminating with a few aculeate spines (c. 7–10 mm in length). The equatorial processes bear three to four longitudinal striae (faint, poorly expressed) extending from postcingular and cingular sutural ridges. The slender processes are generally solid (may be partially hollow), resulting from merging of sutural septa at gonal points; distally are furcate (usually trifurcate), with branches more or less perpendicular to process stem and parallel to sutures; occasionally with additional bifurcation of second order. The slender processes are connected by a network of U-shaped septa, variable in height, with entire distal margin; septa are equal in height to process length, with minimum height at half distance between the processes. Rarely, the equatorial processes are connected by low septa to the slender processes, or are interconnected basally by septa or septum-like hollow membranous structures. The tabulation formula is 40, 60’, 6c, 60 ’’, 1p, 5 s (ps, ls, rs, ras, as), 10’’’, expressed by the archaeopyle and arrangement of gonal and sutural features, indicating leptodinioid pattern (sexiform hypocystal configuration, L-type ventral organisation, and neutral torsion of the hypocyst). Sutural ridge between plates 10 and 40 may be reduced; ridges outlining plate 10’’ and sulcal plates may be reduced or absent. The cingulum is relatively narrow, laevorotatory, shifted by one cingulum width. The archaeopyle is epicystal (formula A1–40 þ P1–60 ’), operculum is free or attached ventrally.
Dimensions (minimum (mean) maximum).
Central body length (operculum attached): 40 (50.5) 62 mm, central body width: 37 (48) 60 mm, equatorial process length: 18 (24.6) 32 mm, slender process length: 13 (19.6) 25 mm, maximum septa height: 13 (19.6) 25 mm, minimum intergonal septa height: 2 (4.7) 9 mm (42 specimens measured).
Remarks. The present emendation defines more precisely the distribution of the sutural and gonal features on the cyst surface and their correspondence to the tabulation pattern (see also Figure 4). Additionally, it highlights the nature of tubular equatorial processes that are in gonal positions in the type species of the genus, as are the slender ones. The central body wall in C. asymmetricum is relatively thin (c. 0.5–1 mm), but robust. It is homogeneous in structure with indistinguishable layering (Plate 2, figure 8). The surface of the central body wall is smooth, foveolate, or granular under TLM. SEM studies prove it to be rugulate, resembling the wrinkled skin of withered fruit (Plate 2, figures 5–7, 12; Plate 3, figures 6, 7, 9–12). Plate margins are smooth, with the characteristic lines of perforations, which is a manifestation of the suturocavate septal nature (Plate 2, figures 5–7; Plate 3, figures 5–7). The most characteristic features of this species are the epi- and hypocystal slender gonal processes connected by U-shaped sutural septa (Plate 2, figures 6, 7, 13). The slender processes are distally furcate (usually trifurcate), commonly with additional second-order bifurcation (Plate 2, figure 13; Plate 3, figure 12) similar to the processes in Spiniferites ramosus (Ehrenberg 1837) Mantell 1854. The six tubular (equatorial) processes in C. asymmetricum bear distally a few characteristic, aculeate spines (Plate 2, figures 5, 9, 10) that arise from the outer surface of the process wall. The spines arise perpendicularly to the process wall and curve distally towards the central body.
Recorded stratigraphical range. Middle upper Campanian–uppermost Campanian, upper-third ‘Inoceramus’ inkermanensis Zone–lowermost ‘Inoceramus’ redbirdensis Zone (recorded in Piotrawin, Podole, Raj, and Raj North).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
G.L. Williams short notes on species, Mesozoic-Cenozoic dinocyst course, Urbino, Italy, May 17-22, 1999 - LPP VIEWER CD-ROM 99.5.
Callaiosphaeridium asymmetricum (Deflandre and Courteville, 1939) Davey and Williams, 1966b, emend. Clarke and Verdier, 1967. This species has six, large, hollow processes in an equatorial position. Distally, the processes have long tendril-like extensions. The apical and antapical plates have a solid, slender process, which is bifurcate, at each corner. The archeopyle is epicystal.
Size: central body about 40 µm, processes 22-34 µm.