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Spiniferites fluens

Spiniferites fluens (Hansen, 1977) Stover and Williams, 1987

NOW Hafniasphaera. Originally (and now) Hafniasphaera, subsequently Spiniferites.

Holotypus: Hansen, 1977, fig.19C,D
Locus typicus: Dania, Denmark
Stratum typicum: Maastrichtian-Danian

Original diagnosis: Hansen, 1977, p.16: Hafniasphaera fluens
Hafniasphaera with subspherical, thinwalled central body. Cyst wall contains numerous evenly distributed vesicles with a diameter of c. 0.5 µm. Vesicles may be confluent giving rise to an internal fine reticulum. Processes similar to those in Spiniferites ramosus, but provided with a variable number of vesicles of approx. same size or, less frequently, larger when compared to vesicles of central body. Sutures, which may contain one row of vesicles, are clearly marked by folds of periphragm.

Description: Hansen, 1977, p.16: Hafniasphaera fluens
Central body with a clear paratabulation of plates 1"-4", 1"-6", 1c-6c, 2"""-6""", ps, 1p, 1"""". Paraplate 4" is C-shaped (interior view) and situated between 1" and 5" above parasulcus, but in contact with the anterior corner of 6". Paracingulum rather broad. Cyst wall 1-2 µm thick, two-layered. Vesicles seemingly confined to the boundary between endophragm and periphragm. Gonal processes triangular in cross-section, trifurcate, bifid. Sutural processes taeniate, bifurcate, bifid. Number of vesicles varies from 0 (rare) to 20 per process. Distally processes may contain large vesicles (3-4 µm), which gives rise to balloon-like thickenings.
Dimensions: Central body: Short diameter 30-34 µm, average 31.8 µm. Long diameter 32-41 µm, average 36.3 µm. Overall diameter: Short diameter 46-63 µm, average 53.5 µm. Long diameter 54-64 µm, average 59.0 µm.
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