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Glaphyrocysta laciniiformis
From Fensome et al., 2019:
Glaphyrocysta laciniiformis (Gerlach, 1961, p.206, pl.29, fig.4) Stover and Evitt, 1978, p.50. Holotype: Gerlach, 1961, pl.29, fig.4; Fauconnier and Masure, 2004, pl.33, fig.1. Originally Cyclonephelium, subsequently (and now) Glaphyrocysta. Age: middle–Late Oligocene.
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Original description Gerlach 1961 [as Cyclonephelium laciniiforme]:
Holotype: Pr 1170/70 (244), Plate 29, Fig. 4.
Paratypes: Pr 1170/71 (259) and Pr 1170/72 (240).
Locus typicus: Well Emsbüren 7.
Stratum Typicum: ? upper Oligocene
Derivation of Name: lacinia = Tip, reference to the distal tip-shaped processes.
Diagnosis:
A species of the genus Cyclonephelium with the following characteristics: central body ellipsoidal to spheroidal, spined with predominantly marginal, slender, massive, and slender hollow processes, which are T-shaped in the upper third into divergently radiating membranous lobes and are connected distally to neighboring appendages by fine strands. Membrane finely reticulated.
Description:
The theca is ellipsoidal in outline or, due to the lack of an apical calotte, wider than it is tall. The processes are predominantly meridian, only occasionally dorsal or ventrally located. Basal fusion lines are not as clearly visible as in C. reticulosum. The processes are relatively short, slender, mostly solid, but sometimes hollow; and in the upper third, they form two oppositely directed, funnel-shaped lobes running parallel to the capsule margin, which appear T-shaped in optical section. The funnels do not consist of individual, fine strands, as observed in C. reticulosum, but are finely membranous and connected distally by thin strands to neighboring processes. The delicate membrane is finely reticulated. The individual meshes are pulled up into fine strands, two or three of which merge to form a process. The present forms are exclusively provided with archeopyles. The apical edge of the archeopyle appears irregularly jagged due to the raised polar margins.
Discussion:
In the connection of the processes by fine strands, there is a strong analogy between C. reticulosum and C. laciniiforme and the genus Cannosphaeropsis O. Wetzel. However, the predominantly meridian arrangement of the processes is characteristic of the genus Cyclonephelium. In the representatives of the genus Cannosphaeropsis, in contrast, the appendages are attached to the entire central body.
Dimensions:
Holotype: 62(46):63(42), 12
Paratype: 64(42):62(38), 10; 62(41):80(53), 10
maximum: 62(41):80(53), 10
minimum: 62(38):72(53), 9
Average: 61(43):66(45), 10
Glaphyrocysta laciniiformis (Gerlach, 1961, p.206, pl.29, fig.4) Stover and Evitt, 1978, p.50. Holotype: Gerlach, 1961, pl.29, fig.4; Fauconnier and Masure, 2004, pl.33, fig.1. Originally Cyclonephelium, subsequently (and now) Glaphyrocysta. Age: middle–Late Oligocene.
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Original description Gerlach 1961 [as Cyclonephelium laciniiforme]:
Holotype: Pr 1170/70 (244), Plate 29, Fig. 4.
Paratypes: Pr 1170/71 (259) and Pr 1170/72 (240).
Locus typicus: Well Emsbüren 7.
Stratum Typicum: ? upper Oligocene
Derivation of Name: lacinia = Tip, reference to the distal tip-shaped processes.
Diagnosis:
A species of the genus Cyclonephelium with the following characteristics: central body ellipsoidal to spheroidal, spined with predominantly marginal, slender, massive, and slender hollow processes, which are T-shaped in the upper third into divergently radiating membranous lobes and are connected distally to neighboring appendages by fine strands. Membrane finely reticulated.
Description:
The theca is ellipsoidal in outline or, due to the lack of an apical calotte, wider than it is tall. The processes are predominantly meridian, only occasionally dorsal or ventrally located. Basal fusion lines are not as clearly visible as in C. reticulosum. The processes are relatively short, slender, mostly solid, but sometimes hollow; and in the upper third, they form two oppositely directed, funnel-shaped lobes running parallel to the capsule margin, which appear T-shaped in optical section. The funnels do not consist of individual, fine strands, as observed in C. reticulosum, but are finely membranous and connected distally by thin strands to neighboring processes. The delicate membrane is finely reticulated. The individual meshes are pulled up into fine strands, two or three of which merge to form a process. The present forms are exclusively provided with archeopyles. The apical edge of the archeopyle appears irregularly jagged due to the raised polar margins.
Discussion:
In the connection of the processes by fine strands, there is a strong analogy between C. reticulosum and C. laciniiforme and the genus Cannosphaeropsis O. Wetzel. However, the predominantly meridian arrangement of the processes is characteristic of the genus Cyclonephelium. In the representatives of the genus Cannosphaeropsis, in contrast, the appendages are attached to the entire central body.
Dimensions:
Holotype: 62(46):63(42), 12
Paratype: 64(42):62(38), 10; 62(41):80(53), 10
maximum: 62(41):80(53), 10
minimum: 62(38):72(53), 9
Average: 61(43):66(45), 10