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Spiniferites crassivariabilis
Spiniferites crassivariabilis Strauss in Strauss et al., 2001, p.411, pl.4, figs.3–5; text-fig.4 (part).
This name was not validly published in Pross (1997, p.97) since no holotype was designated; Pross attributed this name to an unpublished species by Strauss.
Holotype: Strauss et al., pl.4, fig.3.
Age: middle-late Miocene.
Original description (Strauss et al. 2001):
Diagnosis: Spherical, chorate to proximochorate, spiniferate dinocyst species with a characteristically thick cyst wall consisting of a thick, spongeous endophragm and an almost smooth to coarse granular or faint baculate periphragm. Delicate membraneous parasutural ledges are variable or completely lacking. The gonal and occasionally intergonal processes are broad based an membraneous and do not taper significantly towards the broad, planar distal tri-or bifurcation. The processes may be considerably reduced in length. The archeopyle opens due to detachment of third precingular paraplate.
Size: central body 38...51µm, wall thickness 3.2...6.0 µm, length of processes 2.5...13µm
Remarks: The species is distinguished from S. crassipellis (Deflandre & Cookson, 1955) Sarjeant 1970 by the lack of reticulate surface structure and its smaller overall size. In this paper, specimens with an overall habit similar to S. crassivariabilis, but with significantly reduced wall thickness and slender process shafts are grouped under S. cf. crassivariabilis.
This name was not validly published in Pross (1997, p.97) since no holotype was designated; Pross attributed this name to an unpublished species by Strauss.
Holotype: Strauss et al., pl.4, fig.3.
Age: middle-late Miocene.
Original description (Strauss et al. 2001):
Diagnosis: Spherical, chorate to proximochorate, spiniferate dinocyst species with a characteristically thick cyst wall consisting of a thick, spongeous endophragm and an almost smooth to coarse granular or faint baculate periphragm. Delicate membraneous parasutural ledges are variable or completely lacking. The gonal and occasionally intergonal processes are broad based an membraneous and do not taper significantly towards the broad, planar distal tri-or bifurcation. The processes may be considerably reduced in length. The archeopyle opens due to detachment of third precingular paraplate.
Size: central body 38...51µm, wall thickness 3.2...6.0 µm, length of processes 2.5...13µm
Remarks: The species is distinguished from S. crassipellis (Deflandre & Cookson, 1955) Sarjeant 1970 by the lack of reticulate surface structure and its smaller overall size. In this paper, specimens with an overall habit similar to S. crassivariabilis, but with significantly reduced wall thickness and slender process shafts are grouped under S. cf. crassivariabilis.