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Spiniferites rhizophorus
Spiniferites rhizophorus Head in Head and Westphal, 1999, p.15,17, fig.4, no.8;fig.6, nos.1–6.
Holotype: Head and Westphal, 1999, fig.6, nos.1–4.
Age: late early–late Pliocene.
Original description (Head and Westphal, 1999)
Diagnosis. Central body broadly ovoidal, with unstratified wall having nearly smooth surface. Processes gonal, some branched proximally to form numerous stilt-like columns. Sutures may be indicated by faint lines, or by low, solid ridges linking process bases. Archeopyle precingular Type P (3"); operculum free.
Description. Central body broadly ovoidal, with finely and faintly punctate/granulate surface appearing nearly smooth. Wall between processes unstratified under light microscopy. Processes gonal and trifurcate, usually with secondary bifid terminations. Process shafts solid, some arising from unbranched bases, others branched proximally so process is supported by numerous stilt-like columns. Sutures may be indicated by faint lines on surface of central body, or by low, solid ridges linking process bases, and may be expressed between closely adjacent process bases by adjoining trabeculae, often supported by stilt-like columns. Dimensions:
Holotype: central body length, 50 µm; average process length, 16 µm. Range: central body length, 38(46.0)51 µm, standard deviation, 3.96; average process length, 9(14.0)17 µm, standard deviation, 2.46. Twenty specimens measured.
Etymology. Named with reference to the stilt-like branching of process bases that recalls the aerial roots of the mangrove genus Rhizophora.
Holotype. Fig. 6.1-6.4. Sample CLS-K4, slide 5; England Finder reference T10/4. ROM 53428. Clino core, 476.4 m (1563 ft) below mud pit; upper lower Pliocene.
Discussion. This species is distinguished by pronounced proximal branching of some process stems, although most specimens have some processes that are unbranched. In some areas of the cyst, particularly in lateral and ventral areas, closely adjacent process stems may be replaced by a single complex of columns or subvertical strands, which may be interlinked to form an irregular latticework. No other species of Spiniferites is
known to have such development of process bases. Although infrequent, this species occurs in most samples of the Clino core. There are no known previous records.
Holotype: Head and Westphal, 1999, fig.6, nos.1–4.
Age: late early–late Pliocene.
Original description (Head and Westphal, 1999)
Diagnosis. Central body broadly ovoidal, with unstratified wall having nearly smooth surface. Processes gonal, some branched proximally to form numerous stilt-like columns. Sutures may be indicated by faint lines, or by low, solid ridges linking process bases. Archeopyle precingular Type P (3"); operculum free.
Description. Central body broadly ovoidal, with finely and faintly punctate/granulate surface appearing nearly smooth. Wall between processes unstratified under light microscopy. Processes gonal and trifurcate, usually with secondary bifid terminations. Process shafts solid, some arising from unbranched bases, others branched proximally so process is supported by numerous stilt-like columns. Sutures may be indicated by faint lines on surface of central body, or by low, solid ridges linking process bases, and may be expressed between closely adjacent process bases by adjoining trabeculae, often supported by stilt-like columns. Dimensions:
Holotype: central body length, 50 µm; average process length, 16 µm. Range: central body length, 38(46.0)51 µm, standard deviation, 3.96; average process length, 9(14.0)17 µm, standard deviation, 2.46. Twenty specimens measured.
Etymology. Named with reference to the stilt-like branching of process bases that recalls the aerial roots of the mangrove genus Rhizophora.
Holotype. Fig. 6.1-6.4. Sample CLS-K4, slide 5; England Finder reference T10/4. ROM 53428. Clino core, 476.4 m (1563 ft) below mud pit; upper lower Pliocene.
Discussion. This species is distinguished by pronounced proximal branching of some process stems, although most specimens have some processes that are unbranched. In some areas of the cyst, particularly in lateral and ventral areas, closely adjacent process stems may be replaced by a single complex of columns or subvertical strands, which may be interlinked to form an irregular latticework. No other species of Spiniferites is
known to have such development of process bases. Although infrequent, this species occurs in most samples of the Clino core. There are no known previous records.