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Gonyaulax elongate
Gonyaulax elongate (Reid, 1974, p.602–603, pl.3, figs.23–24) Ellegaard et al., 2003, p.154.
Based on motile stage.
NOW Spiniferites. Originally (and now) Spiniferites, subsequently Gonyaulax.
Because we follow the dual approach to the nomenclature of dinoflagellates (see Head et al. 2016), we retain this species in Spiniferites.
Motile equivalent: Gonyaulax spinifera (Claparède and Lachmann, 1859) Diesing, 1866, according to Dale (1976, table 2 — p.45).
Holotype: Reid, 1974, pl.3, figs.23–24.
Age: Holocene.
Diagnosis: Reid 1974, p. 602-603
Elongate ellipsoidal Spiniferites cysts ornamented by wide flaring sutural septae. Septae attached close to the centre of plate areas, the place of attachment appearing as an oval line on each plate. Septae varying in height from high complex processes at the antapex, high sutural flanges at the apex and low simple gonal processes in the girdle zone. Girdle displaced by its own width. Sulcus aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis increasing to three times its anterior width posteriorly.
Dimensions: Holotype: Test 30 x 49 µ; Antapical process height 13 µ; Apical process height 6 µ; Lateral process height 9 µ; Range: Test 26 x 40 µ to 42 x 59 µ; Antapical process height 12-16 µ; Apical process height 6-12 µ. Lateral process height 5-9 µ; Number of specimens measured 15.
Description: Reid 1974, p. 602-603
In polar view the test is circular. It has a thin, 0.8-1 µ wall with a smooth surface and no evidence of an apical boss. A short complex process is found at the head of the sulcus. At the junction of 1"" and 3"' high membranous septae join two stout simple processes and at the junctions of 5"', 4"', 1"" and lP, 2"', 1"" two high, hollow, trumpet shaped processes are found. Their multifurcate tips appear to be supported by strengthening rods. These are joined to each other and to the previous two simple processes by high septae. No sulcal plates were seen. Tabulation appears to be typical for the genus except for plate 1"' which is either absent or is covered by the wide septate of 2"' and lP at the junction with the sulcus. Plates 1' and 4' are not fused but are separated by a low septa. Plate 6" is triangular, long and narrow. Archeopyle precingular 3" and reduced.
Remarks: Reid 1974, p. 602-603
This species is identical to that described by Wall and Dale (1968b) as the resting spore of an unknown Gonyaulax. They consider this species to be synonymous with Pterosperma ovum described by Gaarder (1954). The present author considers the latter species to be synonymous with S. bellerius sp. nov. as it has spines of the same length covering the test, is ovoid and not elongate and is smaller than S. elongatus. Hystrichosphaera sp. a. illustrated in Harland and Downie (1969) is also thought to be synonymous with the present species. A similar species was described by Williams (1964 unpublished Ph.D. thesis) with a wide distribution in the North Atlantic. Wall and Dale (1968b) have found this species in bottom samples off the coast of New York and in coastal sediments from Wood's Hole and Buzzard's Bay, Mass. U.S.A.
Based on motile stage.
NOW Spiniferites. Originally (and now) Spiniferites, subsequently Gonyaulax.
Because we follow the dual approach to the nomenclature of dinoflagellates (see Head et al. 2016), we retain this species in Spiniferites.
Motile equivalent: Gonyaulax spinifera (Claparède and Lachmann, 1859) Diesing, 1866, according to Dale (1976, table 2 — p.45).
Holotype: Reid, 1974, pl.3, figs.23–24.
Age: Holocene.
Diagnosis: Reid 1974, p. 602-603
Elongate ellipsoidal Spiniferites cysts ornamented by wide flaring sutural septae. Septae attached close to the centre of plate areas, the place of attachment appearing as an oval line on each plate. Septae varying in height from high complex processes at the antapex, high sutural flanges at the apex and low simple gonal processes in the girdle zone. Girdle displaced by its own width. Sulcus aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis increasing to three times its anterior width posteriorly.
Dimensions: Holotype: Test 30 x 49 µ; Antapical process height 13 µ; Apical process height 6 µ; Lateral process height 9 µ; Range: Test 26 x 40 µ to 42 x 59 µ; Antapical process height 12-16 µ; Apical process height 6-12 µ. Lateral process height 5-9 µ; Number of specimens measured 15.
Description: Reid 1974, p. 602-603
In polar view the test is circular. It has a thin, 0.8-1 µ wall with a smooth surface and no evidence of an apical boss. A short complex process is found at the head of the sulcus. At the junction of 1"" and 3"' high membranous septae join two stout simple processes and at the junctions of 5"', 4"', 1"" and lP, 2"', 1"" two high, hollow, trumpet shaped processes are found. Their multifurcate tips appear to be supported by strengthening rods. These are joined to each other and to the previous two simple processes by high septae. No sulcal plates were seen. Tabulation appears to be typical for the genus except for plate 1"' which is either absent or is covered by the wide septate of 2"' and lP at the junction with the sulcus. Plates 1' and 4' are not fused but are separated by a low septa. Plate 6" is triangular, long and narrow. Archeopyle precingular 3" and reduced.
Remarks: Reid 1974, p. 602-603
This species is identical to that described by Wall and Dale (1968b) as the resting spore of an unknown Gonyaulax. They consider this species to be synonymous with Pterosperma ovum described by Gaarder (1954). The present author considers the latter species to be synonymous with S. bellerius sp. nov. as it has spines of the same length covering the test, is ovoid and not elongate and is smaller than S. elongatus. Hystrichosphaera sp. a. illustrated in Harland and Downie (1969) is also thought to be synonymous with the present species. A similar species was described by Williams (1964 unpublished Ph.D. thesis) with a wide distribution in the North Atlantic. Wall and Dale (1968b) have found this species in bottom samples off the coast of New York and in coastal sediments from Wood's Hole and Buzzard's Bay, Mass. U.S.A.