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Samlandia mayii

Samlandia mayii McMinn, 1988

Taxonomic junior synonym: Samlandia solida (name not validly published), according to Slimani (2001a, p.194). See discussion under Samlandia solida.

Holotype: McMinn 1988: Fig. 7D-E;
Locus typicus: Wapet Rough Range South-1, 720.0-723.0 m, Carnarvon Basin.
Stratum typicum: Late Cretaceous
Age: Late Campanian

Original description:
Synonym: 1980 Samlandia angustivela (Deflandre & Cookson) Eisenack 1963; May, p. 61, pl. 6, figs 1-5.
Description: McMinn 1988, p 150-152
Cysts are holocavate, proximate and subspherical to ellipsoidal in shape. The wall consists of an endophragm, a periphragm and an ectophragm. The endophragm and periphragm are appressed and the ectophragm is supported by a dense array of short processes that arise from the periphragm. These are mostly of a uniform length and thickness but on some specimens the equatorial processes are a little longer. The maximum length of the processes varies between 9 µm and 18 µm. The process tips are joined distally to adjacent processes by thickened ridges on the relatively complete ectophragm. This often gives the ectophragm a reticulate appearance. Less frequently the processes are also connected proximally. The endophragm is 2-3 µm thick and smooth to finely granular. The periphragm is thinner (approx. 1 µm) and between the processes is smooth. A short apical horn, 6-8 µm long, comprised of the periphragm and ectophragm, is usually present. The archeopyle is precingular, type P (3" only), and the operculum is generally free. There is no indication of a paracingulum or parasulcus.

Size. Pericyst (excluding processes); length 68(60)52 µm, width 64(55)47 µm. Twenty specimens were measured.

Comparison: The height and style of the reticulum distinguish Samlandia mayi from S. carnarvonensis, S. vermicularia sp. nov., and S. reticulifera. It is similar to Samlandia chlamydophora Eisenack 1954 but can be distinguished by the absence of antapical and equatorial processes of considerably greater length and by the presence of a distal rather than proximal reticulum.

Comments. May (1980) commented on and illustrated a species of Samlandia that is probably conspecific with Samlandia mayi. He assigned that form to Samlandia angustivela (Deflandre & Cookson) Eisenack 1963 but my examination of the holotype of that species revealed an apical archeopyle (see above) . May (1980) suggested that S. angustivela was equivalent to "Samlandia solida" Wilson 1974 but the use of this name by May (1980) was invalid.

Occurrence. Rare to common in the Samlandia carnarvonensis Zone (late Campanian) of the Carnarvon Basin.
Previous records. Late Campanian of Maryland, U.S.A. (May, 1980).
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