Distinguishing features: Dinoflagellate with siliceous internal skeleton formed of two star-like bodies
Daughter taxa: (blue => in age window 0-800Ma) | ||||
Actiniscus pentasterias Skeletal bodies are 5-rayed with concavo-convex shape and a sculpted surface |
Taxonomy:
Actiniscus pentasterias is thus the only accepted modern marine species, although the other names do appear in some taxonomic lists. This is confirmed by a web and PDF search, the only name being used for modern marine Actiniscus is A. pentasterias
Locker & Martini (1986 DSDP 90) is useful initial reference for the literature on fossil actiniscids.
Catalog entries: Actiniscus
Distinguishing features: Dinoflagellate with siliceous internal skeleton formed of two star-like bodies
Morphology: Slightly compressed biflagellated cells of medium-sized (30-70 µm) with a slightly displaced cingulum and well-developed sulcus giving the cells an appearence of Gymnodinium Stein. Differs from Gymnodinium by the presence of siliceous internal skeleton composed of 2 equal parts composed of a ring from which 5 (4-8) star-like arms radiate. No chloroplasts, nucleus enclosed in the internal skeleton. Marine plankton, of worldwide distribution [description by M. Elbrachter on Algaebase].
Geological Range:
Last occurrence (top): Extant Data source: Total of range of species in this database
First occurrence (base): within No known fossil record modern (0.00-0.00Ma, base in "Holocene" stage). Data source: Total of range of species in this database
Ehrenberg, C. G. (1843). Über die verbreitung des jetzt wirkenden kleinsten organischen lebens in Asien, Australien und Afrika und über die vorherrschende bildung auch des oolithkalkes der Juraformation aus kleinen polythalamischen thieren. Bericht uber die zu Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Koniglichen Preussische Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. 100-106. gs Locker, S. & Martini, E. (1986). Ebridians and actiniscidians from the southwest Pacific. Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project. 90: 941-951. gs V OReferences:
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Actiniscus compiled by Jeremy R. Young viewed: 18-1-2021
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