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Gonyaulax apionis

Gonyaulax apionis Cookson and Eisenack, 1958

Now Cribroperidinium. Originally Gonyaulax, subsequently Gonyaulacysta, thirdly Millioudodinium, fourthly (and now) Cribroperidinium.
Tax. sr. synonym of Gonyaulax (now Cribroperidinium) edwardsii Cookson and Eisenack, 1958, according to Burger, 1980, Yun, 1981, and Lentin and Williams, 1985. Jan du Chene et al., 1986, retained Gonyaulax (as Cribroperidinium) apionis as a separate species.

Holotype: Cookson and Eisenack, 1958, text-figs.3-4; Jan du Chene et al., 1986, pl.33, fig.6
Locus typicus: Cootabarlow, S Australia
Stratum typicum: Albian

Original description: Cookson and Eisenack, 1958, p. 36
Shell smooth nearly twice as long as broad, epitheca long, conical, sumounted by a long, stiff horn which is closed at one end by a "lid" with a short central projection. The girdle is strongly helicoid and bordered by low but rather sharp ledges. The hypotheca is more dome-shaped and the antapical plate is square with four small pointed projections at the corners. The ledges borgering the plate are smooth and low. In the type a long narrow pylome straches from the base of the horn to the girdle (plate 3""). The tabulation, though rather distinct, cannot be given in full detail; it appears to be simple.
Dimensions: Type 105x57 Ám, horn 20 Ám. A paratype 114-71 Ám, horn 24 Ám.

Affinities:
Cookson and Eisenack, 1958, p. 36: The long narrow shape, smooth surface and absence of ornamentation distinguish G. apionis from all other known fossil species of Gonyaulax.
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