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Spiniferites lenzii

Spiniferites lenzii Below, 1982
Holotype: Below, 1982, pl.7, figs.7a-b
Age: Albian

Original description (Below, 1982)
Diagnosis: Central body sphaeroidal, subsphaeroidal to bitrapezoidal, bilayered and smooth. Solid, gonal processes trifurcat and second-order bifurcat. Numerous parasutural processes, bifurcate and in second order also bifurcate. Gonal and parastural processes are of equal length, about 1/3 the central body diameter. The parasutural processes are connected on the base, thus forming low septa on the paratabular borders. Toward the distal end, they first taper rapidly, only to split into two branches halfway along their length. These enclose an acute angle between them. The plane spanned by them is perpendicular to the paraplate boundary. In the second order, these branches are again bifurcate. Gonal and parasutural processes are equal in length at about 1/3 the central body diameter. The Archaeopyle is praecingular, of type P3'.

Remark: Especially in the material from the Hauterive and Gargasia of Morocco, specimens are common which are between Spiniferites lenzii and Spiniferites multibrevis (Davey & Williams 1966). nov. ssp. seghiris n. ssp. convey. Still very short, parasutural processes with the medial and terminal bifurcation so typical of Spiniferits lenzii develop from rudimentary septal outgrowths.

Measurements: holotype: length of central body 43 µm, width of central body 42 µm, length of processes 8-12 µm
other specimens: length of central body 39-44 µm, width of central body 38-43 µ, length of processes 8-15 µm.
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