Spiniferites ?spongiosus Duxbury, 2001, p.116–117, fig.15, nos.1–5.
Holotype: Duxbury, 2001, fig.15, nos.1–2.
Questionable assignment: Duxbury (2001, p.116).
Age: early Valanginian.

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Original description (Duxbury, 2001):

Spiniferites ? spongiosus n. sp.

Holotype: Figures 15.1, 15.2.
Type Locality: Well 13/30-1 at 7328.33 ft (core), Early Valanginian, E.F. S41.4.
Derivation of Name: Fronm the Latin spongiosa, spongy - in reference to the characteristic endophragm texture.

Diagnosis: A species of dinocysts with an ovoidal endocyst which is fairly thick-walled and spongy in texture. Short, blade-like gonal and para-
sutural processes are present, and these are usually flat-ended, although they nay occasionally taper distally. These are proximally connected by parasutural crests which are of moderate height and which may have small perforations along process bases. The archeopyle is single paraplate precingular (3").

Dimensions: Holotype: 77 x 74 μm
Overall: 77 (71) 67 x 74 (65) 59 μm
Specimens Measured - 12

Comments: This very distinctive species is only questionably assigned to the genus Spiniferites MANTELL, 1850 since, although it conforms in its
general characteristics, no trifurcate gonal or bifurcate parasutural processes have been observed, and these are typical of that genus. In its overall size and in possessing short, flat-ended, blade-like processes, Spiniferites spongiosus is most similar to Spiniferites dentatus (GOCHT, 1959) LENTIN & WILLIAMS, 1973.
This species is restricted to the Early Valanginian interval; it is consistently present within LKP7.1 and LKP6 and can be common.