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Dracodinium pachydermum

Dracodinium pachydermum (Caro, 1973) Costa and Downie, 1979

Originally Wetzeliella, subsequently (and now) Dracodinium.
Taxonomic senior synonym: Wetzeliella (now Dracodinium) eocaenicum, by implication in Caro (1973, p.365), who considered the name Wetzeliella eocaenica to be not effectively published; and according to Williams et al. (2015, p.304).

Holotype: Caro, 1973, pl.3, fig.4
Locus typicus: Campo section, N of Graus, central part of the Spanish Pyrenees, Spain
Stratum typicum: Early Eocene
Translation Caro, 1973: LPP

Original description: Caro, 1973, p. 365: Wetzeliella pachyderma
Diagnosis: A species of the genus Wetzeliella with a mostly clearly circular outline. The membrane of the central body is thick (in the order of 4 µm), which gives the latter a dark hue. The outline of the periphragm closely follows that of the endophragm or central body, which results in a narrow pericoel. This periphragm bears numerous long and thin appendices. The location of the archaeopyle on the periphragm and endophragm is the same. There is a very short apical horn, the other horns are present only as an attempt.
Description: The outline is normally circular and the thickness of the endophragm is very constant. The outline of the periphragm follows that of the endophragm, except apically, where it diverges to form the apical horn. In certain specimens it is possible to distinguish pinch laterally in the periphragm, which slightly streches into the form of very short lateral horns. The place of the archaeopyle is situated on the apical part of the endophragm. The distribution of the slender appendices, simple and scarcely with bifurcate tips, does not permit the distinction of plates.
Dimensions: Holotype diameter 78 µm, variation in diameter of 5 specimens 68(76)82 µm, endophragm membrane thickness 4 µm, pericoel thickness 2-3 µm, mean length of appendices 8-10 µm, length of apical horn 8-10 µm.
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