Back
Spiniferites ludhamensis
Spiniferites luhamensis Head 1996
Holotype: Head, 1996a, fig.12, nos.5–9.
Age: early Pleistocene (Antian).
Head 1996, p. 557
Spiniferites ludhamensis new species, figures 12.3-12.14, 13, 14.1-14.3
Diagnosis: A species of Spiniferites with thin pedium, and thicker luxuria consisting of a tegillum which, across intratabular areas, has funnel-shaped invaginations whose solid bases connect with pedium. Invaginations absent from parasutural areas, and unsupported tegillum forms low parasutural folds. Processes bifurcate or multifurcate, in some cases with second order branching, and hollow along their entire length.
Description: Spiniferate cyst with egg-shaped central body. Pedium thin (ca. 0.1 µm), appearing as black line in optical section. Luxuria consists of tegillum (< 0.3 µm thick) which, across intratabular areas, has funnel-shaped invaginations whose solid, rod-like bases connect with pedium. Bases generally less than 0.3 µm in diameter, mostly spaced about 1.0 µm or less apart, appearing as closely spaced dots in surface view. Invaginations absent from parasutural areas, and unsupported tegillum forms parasutural folds about 1-2 µm high delineating gonyaulacoid paratabulation. Gonal and intergonal processes arise from folds. Processes bifurcate or multifurcate, in some cases with second-order branching, and hollow along their entire length including distal terminal branches. Surface of processes finely and faintly granulate. A tapering, spine-like apical process with smaller side branches, also present. Archeopyle precingular, type P(3"). Operculum monoplacate, free.
Dimensions: Holotype: central body (excluding processes): length, 41 Ám; equatorial diameter, 40 Ám; average process length, 15 Ám; wall thickness, ca. 1.4 Ám. Range: central body (excluding processes): length, 38(42.4)49 Ám; equatorial diameter, 34(37.3)41 Ám; average process length, l 0(12.9) 15 Ám; wall thickness, ca. 1.1(1.5)1.8 Ám. Nineteen specimens were measured.
Discussion: This species is distinguished by its unusual wall structure with numerous invaginations, thin-walled hollow processes whose branched distal terminations are also hollow and may form small tubules, and parasutural folds rather than the solid crests which are more typical of the genus.
Holotype: Figure 12.5-12.9. Sample 4B 30 76" (upper Pliocene), slide 2; England Finder reference P26/0. Deposited in the palynological collection of the Department of Invertebrate Paleontology, Royal Ontario Museum: catalog number ROM 51568.
Tvpe locality: Royal Society borehole at Ludham, Norfolk, U.K.
Occurrence: Fairly common (9.2 percent) in a single sample (4B 30 76"--Antian). It has not been recorded previously.
Holotype: Head, 1996a, fig.12, nos.5–9.
Age: early Pleistocene (Antian).
Head 1996, p. 557
Spiniferites ludhamensis new species, figures 12.3-12.14, 13, 14.1-14.3
Diagnosis: A species of Spiniferites with thin pedium, and thicker luxuria consisting of a tegillum which, across intratabular areas, has funnel-shaped invaginations whose solid bases connect with pedium. Invaginations absent from parasutural areas, and unsupported tegillum forms low parasutural folds. Processes bifurcate or multifurcate, in some cases with second order branching, and hollow along their entire length.
Description: Spiniferate cyst with egg-shaped central body. Pedium thin (ca. 0.1 µm), appearing as black line in optical section. Luxuria consists of tegillum (< 0.3 µm thick) which, across intratabular areas, has funnel-shaped invaginations whose solid, rod-like bases connect with pedium. Bases generally less than 0.3 µm in diameter, mostly spaced about 1.0 µm or less apart, appearing as closely spaced dots in surface view. Invaginations absent from parasutural areas, and unsupported tegillum forms parasutural folds about 1-2 µm high delineating gonyaulacoid paratabulation. Gonal and intergonal processes arise from folds. Processes bifurcate or multifurcate, in some cases with second-order branching, and hollow along their entire length including distal terminal branches. Surface of processes finely and faintly granulate. A tapering, spine-like apical process with smaller side branches, also present. Archeopyle precingular, type P(3"). Operculum monoplacate, free.
Dimensions: Holotype: central body (excluding processes): length, 41 Ám; equatorial diameter, 40 Ám; average process length, 15 Ám; wall thickness, ca. 1.4 Ám. Range: central body (excluding processes): length, 38(42.4)49 Ám; equatorial diameter, 34(37.3)41 Ám; average process length, l 0(12.9) 15 Ám; wall thickness, ca. 1.1(1.5)1.8 Ám. Nineteen specimens were measured.
Discussion: This species is distinguished by its unusual wall structure with numerous invaginations, thin-walled hollow processes whose branched distal terminations are also hollow and may form small tubules, and parasutural folds rather than the solid crests which are more typical of the genus.
Holotype: Figure 12.5-12.9. Sample 4B 30 76" (upper Pliocene), slide 2; England Finder reference P26/0. Deposited in the palynological collection of the Department of Invertebrate Paleontology, Royal Ontario Museum: catalog number ROM 51568.
Tvpe locality: Royal Society borehole at Ludham, Norfolk, U.K.
Occurrence: Fairly common (9.2 percent) in a single sample (4B 30 76"--Antian). It has not been recorded previously.