Eiffellithaceae
Classification: ntax_mesozoic -> Eiffellithales -> Eiffellithaceae
Sister taxa: Chiastozygaceae, Eiffellithaceae, Rhagodiscaceae
Distinguishing features: V-units form narrow outer rim; R-units form broad inner rim or plate. Almost all with a central spine-bearing cross.
| Daughter taxa: (blue => in age window 0-800Ma) | Granddaughter taxa |
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Loxolith coccoliths with a prominent inner rim cycle that is birefringent and conspicuous in cross-polarised light; this cycle is broader than the outer rim cycle. The central area is spanned by variably-orientated cross-bars.
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 |  |  |  | Helicolithus
Loxolith coccoliths with bicyclic rim with broad inner cycle and narrow central-area, filled by broad cross bars. The rim image is distinctly bicyclic and the inner cycle and cross bars are birefringent.
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 |  |  |  | Tegumentum
Murolith (loxolith) coccoliths with a prominent inner rim cycle that is birefringent and conspicuous in cross-polarised light. This cycle is broader than the outer rim cycle. The central area is spanned by curving, diagonal cross-bars.
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Taxonomy:
Citation: Eiffellithaceae Reinhardt, 1965Rank: FamilyType species: Eiffellithus Reinhardt, 1965
Farinacci & Howe catalog pages: Eiffellithaceae [no catalog entry yet]
Distinguishing features: V-units form narrow outer rim; R-units form broad inner rim or plate. Almost all with a central spine-bearing cross.
Morphology: Murolith (loxolith type) coccoliths with well-developed proximal/inner cycles and typically wide central-areas spanned by axial, non-axial (± asymmetric) or diagonal cross-bars. The broad, proximal/inner cycle is conspicuous in the LM, creating a strongly bicyclic image.
Search data:
| Tags | LITHS: murolith, |
| Metrics | Lith size: 0->0µm; |
The morphological data given here can be used on the advanced search page. See also these notes
Geological Range:
Last occurrence (top): at top of Maastrichtian Stage (100% up, 66Ma, in Maastrichtian stage). Data source: Total of range of species in this database
First occurrence (base): in lower part of Berriasian Stage (26% up, 143.5Ma, in Berriasian stage). Data source: Total of range of species in this database
Plot of occurrence data:
- Range-bar - range as quoted above, pink interval top occurs in, green interval base occurs in.
- Triangles indicate an event for which a precise placement has been suggested
- Neptune data: this is a higher taxon page so Neptune data is not plotted. For the customisable plot option go to a genus page Parent: Eiffellithales
References:
Bown, P. R., Rutledge, D. C., Crux, J. A. & Gallagher, L. T. (1998). Early Cretaceous. In, Bown, P. R. (ed.) Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy. British Micropalaeontological Society Publication Series. 86-131. gs
Reinhardt, P. (1965). Neue Familien für fossile Kalkflagellaten (Coccolithophoriden, Coccolithineen). Monatsberichte der Deutschen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. 7: 30-40. gs V O
