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Vozzhennikovia mariae

Vozzhennikovia mariae (Aurisano, 1984, p.5,7, figs.4E–G) Sluijs et al., 2009, p.50.

Originally Spinidinium, subsequently (and now) Vozzhennikovia.

Holotype: Aurisano, 1984, figs.4E–F.
Age: early Santonian–late early Campanian.

Original description (Aurisano, 1984):
Spinidinium mariae n.sp. (Figures 4E-G)
Diagnosis: cyst body ornamented with acuminate and bifid to bifurcating spines that show intraspecific variation in length. Peri-operculum is an attenuated hexa and posteriorly attached.
Name derivation: in honor of Maria Aurisano.
Description; a cornucavate dinocyst that is approximately pantagonal in outline. It has one apical and two antapical horns. A right antapical horn is not usually present, but when present, is poorly developed. The apical horn often terminates with two spines which may be bifid. The pericyst surface is ornamented with spines. On a single specimen the spines vary from acuminate to bifid to bifurcating terminations. The endocyst is spherical to subspherical and appears to laevigate. Paratabulation is not usually suggested by process alignment but varies, and when present is faint and indistinct. Paracingulum is continuous and indicated by fine folds or ridges emphasized by spines. Parasulcus is indicated by a shallow depression and its margins outlines by spines. Archeopyle formula is I (2a) and its outline is that of an attenuated hexa (as indicated by the operculum shape) and posteriorly attached.
Dimensions (on 10 specimens). Maximum length 55-68 µm, maximum width 45-50 µm
Remarks: the most distinctive features of this species are bifid terminations of some spines and the attached perioperculum. Spinidinium essoi Cookson and Eisenack differs in that its spines have acuminate terminations, as do those on S. styloniferum Cookson and Eisenack. S. macmurdoense (Wilson) Lentin & Williams is larger, has relatively long, acuminate spines with relatively long apical and antapical horns and is ciurcumcavate.
Occurrence: Spinidinium mariae is found in the New Jersey Coastal Plain samples as low as the Marginotruncana concavata Zone (early Santonian) and as high as the upper part of the Archaeogloberina blowi and Bolivinoides culverensis Zone (late early Campanian).
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