Back
Distatodinium paradoxum

Distatodinium paradoxum (Brosius, 1963, p.41-42, pl.4, figs.1,6; text-fig.2, nos.1a-c) Eaton, 1976, p.265.

Originally Hystrichosphaeridium, subsequently Tanyosphaeridium, thirdly Oligosphaeridium?, fourthly (and now) Distatodinium, fifthly Bipolaribucina. Chen et al. (1988, p.7) retained this species in Distatodinium.
Taxonomic junior synonym: Distatodinium craterum, according to Fensome et al. (2009, p.31).
The nomenclatural type of the genus Distatodinium remains the holotype of Distatodinium craterum.

Holotype: Brosius, 1963, pl.4, fig.6; Fensome et al., 1995, fig.2 - p.1639.
Paratype: Brosius, 1963
Locus typicus: Stolzenbach borehole, S of Borken, Germany
Age: Late Oligocene.
Translation Brosius, 1963: LPP

--------------------------------------------------
G.L. Williams short notes on species, Mesozoic-Cenozoic dinocyst course, Urbino, Italy, May 17-22, 1999 - LPP VIEWER CD-ROM 99.5.

Distatodinium paradoxum (Brosius, 1963) Eaton, 1976. According to Eaton (1976, p. 265), this species has typically slender processes, simple or branched, distally and proximally expanded, usually flattened and blade-like in cross-section. Distally they are bifurcate or trifurcate with some secondary and tertiary branchlets at the extremities. There are about 20 processes. There are 6 precingular and at least 5 postcingular. The processes are arranged in rings around the body and show some longitudinal alignment. The straight or curved lines marking the divergence of the processes from the cyst body are also proximally united by membranes. Size: average length (without processes) 60 µm, width 30 µm, process length 18-50 µm.
--------------------------------------------------

Original description: Brosius 1963, p. 41: Hystrichosphaeridium paradoxum Diagnosis: The cigar-shaped oval body has a tender, smooth to finely granulate membrane. The irregularly arranged hollow processes are connected to the body with a broadened base. They vary considerably in development and length. The principally occuring process-type broadens funnel-like distally. The outer rim bears several very long, whip-like and branched appendices. Additionally, single and branched tubes occur as well. Fused bases between two processes occur regularly. In most specimens a calotte is split off as a pylome at one of the narrow sides.
Dimensions: Holotype: L:B without processes 58:27 µm, process length 26 µm. Mean L:B without processes 60:30 µm, processes 18-50 µm. 20 specimens.

Supplemental description: Eaton 1976, p. 265: Distatodinium paradoxum
The cyst body has an oval or elongate outline and a smooth or finely granular surface. The processes are typically slender, simple or branched, distally and proximally expanded, usually flattened and blade-like in cross section, occasionally tubular. Distally they are bifurcate or trifurcate with some secondary and tertiary branchlets at the extremities. The number of processes is about 20 and their distribution is similar to that of D. craterum. In addition to the alignment of the processes into rings around the cyst body, there is also some alignment into rows parallel to the long axis. Adjacent longitudinally aligned processes may be proximally united by membrane. Archeopyle apical. One specimen (Pl.9,fig.6) shows partial detachment of the polar region. If this is interpreted as the apical zone, the operculum bears four processes, two of which are proximally united by membrane.
Dimensions: Observed range: cyst body, length (with operculum): 46 µm; length (without operculum): 36-52 µm; breadth: 28-42 µm; length of processes up to 24 µm (n=6).
Feedback/Report bug