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Apectodinium africaense

Apectodinium africaense, (Jan du Chêne and Adediran, 1985, p. 30–31, pl.6, figs.5–6), Williams et al., 2015, p. 300.

Holotype: Jan du Chêne and Adediran, 1985, pl.6, fig.5.
Locus typicus: Benin-Ore Highway, Km 41, Nigeria
Age: late Paleocene–early Eocene.

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Original description: [Jan du Chêne and Adediran, 1985, p. 30-31]:

Description:
Cyst proximochorate, cornucavate to circumcavate typically compressed peridinioid. The periphragm has a distinctive pentagonal outline prolonged by one short apical horn, not always observable, two unequal but well defined lateral horns and two short antapical horns.
The periphragm bears relatively long intratabular generally isolated tubular processes with acuminate or deeply and irregularly bifurcate or trifurcate distal ends. The processes appear to be here and there supported by ridges or folds of the periphragm. The endophragm is smooth and rounded pentagonal in outline. The apical horn is short and is formed by a group of joined proximally processes. The two lateral horns are very unequal in size and shape. The left one is much longer and higher than the right one. The two antapical horns are short, equal in length, symmetrically disposed.
The tabulation is expressed only by the intercalary type I/I (2a only) archeopyle and by the two lateral horns suggesting the position of the cingulum.
The parasulcus is not observable.

Dimensions:
Range Central body: Length 57-62 µm. Width 62-66 µm. Length of the processes: up to 10 µm. Length of the horns: Apical: 6-10 µm. Left lateral: 26-30 µm. Right lateral: 14 µm. Antapical: 10 µm. Number of specimens measured: 3.

Affinities:
Wetzeliella africaense differs from all previously described species of Wetzeliella by its strongly asymmetrical shape due to the length of the left lateral horn and by the pentagonal shape of the central body.
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