Back
Palaeotetradinium simplex

Palaeotetradinium simplex Yu Jingxian, 1982

Now Cupritia. Originally Palaeotetradinium, subsequently (and now) Cupritia.
Holotype: Yu Jingxian, 1982, pl.8, fig.18
Age: Late Kimmeridgian-Berriasian

Description: Cysts rhombic in outline. Length equal to or somewhat greater than width. Periphragm only, 0.5 - 1 µm thick. Surface smooth or finely granulate. Apical horn is extended portion of epicyst. Along periphery is wrinkling zone formed of ridges 5 - 6 µm wide and morphologically similar to cyst. Wrinkling zone protrudes outwardly at equator, perhaps equivalent to paracingulum.
Size: Cysts 40 - 50 µm long and 38 - 44 µm wide.

Comparison: This new species resembles P. paucispinum (Alberti) in cyst morphology but is distinguished from the latter by lack of apical archeopyle and absence of spinous ornamentation at the paracingulum.
Feedback/Report bug