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Dracodinium wetzelii

From Fensome et al., 2019:
Dracodinium wetzelii (Agelopoulos, 1967, p.17–18, pl.2, figs.4,5a–b) Williams et al., 2015, p.304. Holotype: Agelopoulos, 1967, pl.2, figs.5a–b. Originally Wetzeliella, subsequently (and now) Dracodinium. Age: Late Eocene.

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Original description: [Agelopoulos, 1967] (translated from German):

Wetzeliella (W) wetzeli n. sp.
Pl. 2, Fig. 4 - 5b

Holotype: Prb. 37 No. 38 Pl. 2, Fig. 5a - 5b.
Paratypoid: Prb. 37 No. 15 Pl. 2, Fig. 4.
Locus typicus: Heiligenhafen (Hohes Ufer)
Derivation nominis: In honor of Dr. O, WETZEL, Eutin

Diagnosis: Carapace flat, with a very slightly notched lateral margin. Apical horn well developed, tapered at the end. Antapic horns well developed, slightly smaller than the apical horn, lateral horns short and blunt. The carapace surface bears small bristles, the ends of which still show a recognizable fork. Inner body rhombic-oval, reddish-brown in color, with coarse walls. Transverse furrow not observed. A slightly rounded pyloma is present beneath the apex. A narrow space exists between the inner body and the outer edge of the carapace.

Remarks: The epitheca is extended to a point, with a well-formed apical horn, which is pointed at its end and bears hair-like bristles. The hypotheca is somewhat broader, with two anta-pical horns that are slightly shorter than the apical horn. The lateral horns are short, broad, and blunt; their ends sometimes bear fine bristles like the apical horn.

The inner body is coarse-walled, reddish-brown in color, and slightly pointed at the apex and on the sides. A very narrow space exists between the inner body and the outer edge of the carapace. This space is empty. Intercalated pyrite crystals confirm this. The inner capsule does not touch the outer carapace at any point. Below the apex lies a ± circular hatch, which is usually closed by the calotte. The carapace bears small spines, which are slightly forked at the end. The setae are somewhat less abundant on the anterior and posterior sides than on the carapace margin. A transverse furrow was not observed. The carapace is delicate and transparent, with a slightly notched margin.

The difference from Wetzeliella (W) eozänica is the presence of the apical horn and the antapical horns. Another difference is the shape of the inner capsule.

Number of specimens: 5
Dimensions: Holotype: Length 109 μm, width 99 μm, inner capsule measured lengthwise 86 μm, transverse 80 μm.
Paratypoid: Length 109 μm, width 96 μm, inner capsule measured lengthwise 83 μm, transverse 74 μm.

In other specimens, the length varies between 80 and 112 μm, width 80 and 93 μm, longitudinal 70-74 μm, transverse 70-74 μm.
Occurrence: Late Eocene.
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