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Spiniferites ramosus ssp. pterocoelus
From Fensome et al., 2019:
Spiniferites ramosus subsp. pterocoelus Slimani, 1996, p.379, pl.3, figs.H–J; pl.4, figs.E–G ex Slimani, 2001b, p.8, pl.3, figs.1– 4. Holotype: Slimani, 1996, pl.3, figs.H–J; Slimani, 2001b, pl.3, figs.1–2. This name was not validly published in Slimani (1996) since no English or Latin description or diagnosis was provided. Age: early Campanian–Danian.
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Original description (Slimani, 2001b): [translation PKB 2025]:
Spiniferites ramosus (Ehrenberg, 1838) Loeblich Jr. and Loeblich III, 1966 subsp. pterocoelus subsp. nov.
(Pl. 3, Fig. H-J; Pl. 4, Fig. E-G)
Name derived from the two lateral pericoels in the form of wings.
Holotype: Turnhout -933 m, preparation 5, E.F. coordinates R41/3; Pl. 3, Fig. H, J.
Paratype: Turnhout -933 m, preparation 5, E.F. coordinates 029; Pl. 4, Fig. E-G.
Type locality: Turnhout -933 m.
Type horizon: Campanian.
Occurrence: Beutenaken: specimens 1, 2 (Lower Campanian - base of Upper Campanian). Hallembaye: ex. 1, 43 (lower Campanian, upper Maastrichtian); Turnhout: -987 to -739.31 m (lower Campanian - Danian).
Description. Chorate cyst with a subrectangular lateral cavity. The spheroidal to subspheroidal endocyst is formed by an endophragm approximately 1 to 1.51 m thick with a strongly granulated external surface. The periphragm is thin, smooth, and separates from the endophragm to form two lateral pericoels with a subsquare outline. Paratabulation is indicated by parasutural septa, gonal processes, and rare intergonal processes; it is of the S-type gonyaulacoid sexiform type: 4 apical paraplates (A, B, C, and 1 u), 6 precingular (2-1 i), 6 cingular (au-e), 6 postcingular (lu-VI), 1 sulcal, 1 antapical (Y), and 1 posterior intercalary (X). The parasulcus consists of a twisted, undifferentiated longitudinal ventral surface. The gonal processes are trifurcated, while the intergonal processes are bifurcated. The distal end of the branches of the first ramification of the processes is bifid to bifurcated. The parasutural septa are taller on the central body than on the pericoel. The paracingulum is strongly levorotatory. The archeopyl is precingular of type P, formed from a single precingular paraplate. The free operculum is sometimes adherent.
Dimensions
Maximum endocyst diameter: holotype, 34 µm; paratype, 34 µm; other specimens, 28–40 µm. Pericyst width: holotype, 54 µm; paratype, 60 µm; other specimens, 50–70 µm.
Number of specimens measured: 13.
Remarks. Spiniferites ramosus subsp. pterocoe/us sp. nov. is characterized by its granular endocyst and the presence of two lateral pericoels. If misoriented, this species can be confused with Rottnestia borussica (Eisenack, 1954) Cookson and Eisenack (1961). Spiniferites cruciformis Wall and Dale in Wall et al. (1973) is distinguished from the present species by its cruciform central body and by its very irregular septa. Spiniferites ramosus subsp. granomembranaceus (Davey and Williams, 1966a) Corradini, 1973 lacks lateral pericoels.
Spiniferites ramosus subsp. pterocoelus Slimani, 1996, p.379, pl.3, figs.H–J; pl.4, figs.E–G ex Slimani, 2001b, p.8, pl.3, figs.1– 4. Holotype: Slimani, 1996, pl.3, figs.H–J; Slimani, 2001b, pl.3, figs.1–2. This name was not validly published in Slimani (1996) since no English or Latin description or diagnosis was provided. Age: early Campanian–Danian.
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Original description (Slimani, 2001b): [translation PKB 2025]:
Spiniferites ramosus (Ehrenberg, 1838) Loeblich Jr. and Loeblich III, 1966 subsp. pterocoelus subsp. nov.
(Pl. 3, Fig. H-J; Pl. 4, Fig. E-G)
Name derived from the two lateral pericoels in the form of wings.
Holotype: Turnhout -933 m, preparation 5, E.F. coordinates R41/3; Pl. 3, Fig. H, J.
Paratype: Turnhout -933 m, preparation 5, E.F. coordinates 029; Pl. 4, Fig. E-G.
Type locality: Turnhout -933 m.
Type horizon: Campanian.
Occurrence: Beutenaken: specimens 1, 2 (Lower Campanian - base of Upper Campanian). Hallembaye: ex. 1, 43 (lower Campanian, upper Maastrichtian); Turnhout: -987 to -739.31 m (lower Campanian - Danian).
Description. Chorate cyst with a subrectangular lateral cavity. The spheroidal to subspheroidal endocyst is formed by an endophragm approximately 1 to 1.51 m thick with a strongly granulated external surface. The periphragm is thin, smooth, and separates from the endophragm to form two lateral pericoels with a subsquare outline. Paratabulation is indicated by parasutural septa, gonal processes, and rare intergonal processes; it is of the S-type gonyaulacoid sexiform type: 4 apical paraplates (A, B, C, and 1 u), 6 precingular (2-1 i), 6 cingular (au-e), 6 postcingular (lu-VI), 1 sulcal, 1 antapical (Y), and 1 posterior intercalary (X). The parasulcus consists of a twisted, undifferentiated longitudinal ventral surface. The gonal processes are trifurcated, while the intergonal processes are bifurcated. The distal end of the branches of the first ramification of the processes is bifid to bifurcated. The parasutural septa are taller on the central body than on the pericoel. The paracingulum is strongly levorotatory. The archeopyl is precingular of type P, formed from a single precingular paraplate. The free operculum is sometimes adherent.
Dimensions
Maximum endocyst diameter: holotype, 34 µm; paratype, 34 µm; other specimens, 28–40 µm. Pericyst width: holotype, 54 µm; paratype, 60 µm; other specimens, 50–70 µm.
Number of specimens measured: 13.
Remarks. Spiniferites ramosus subsp. pterocoe/us sp. nov. is characterized by its granular endocyst and the presence of two lateral pericoels. If misoriented, this species can be confused with Rottnestia borussica (Eisenack, 1954) Cookson and Eisenack (1961). Spiniferites cruciformis Wall and Dale in Wall et al. (1973) is distinguished from the present species by its cruciform central body and by its very irregular septa. Spiniferites ramosus subsp. granomembranaceus (Davey and Williams, 1966a) Corradini, 1973 lacks lateral pericoels.