Nannotax3 - ntax_cenozoic - Fasciculithaceae

Citation: Fasciculithaceae Hay & Mohler, 1967

Taxonomic discussion: The species traditionally included in Fasciculithus have recently been subdivided into three genera - Fasciculithus, Gomphiolithus and Lithoptychius - and an additional genus, Diantholitha, described (Aubry et al. 2011). This scheme is further described in Aubry et al. (2012) and Monechi et al. (2012). Finally Monechi et al. (2013) provides data on their stratigraphic ranges.
The term "fasciculith" is used here for nannoliths from any of the genera.

Distinguishing features: Conical or cylindrical discoasteralids consisting of 10-30 wedge-shaped, radially-arranged elements, in one to three superposed cycles.

Morphology: Typically have a concave end that is assumed to be proximal and a convex or pointed end that is considered distal. Outer surface is often covered by depressions (fenestrae). Typically seen in diagnostic side view.
Key references - Romein 1979; Perch-Nielsen 1985; Aubry et al. 2011; Aubry et al. 2012; Monechi et al. 2012; Monechi et al. 2013

Size: Fasciculiths are predominantly moderate size nannliths within the size range 5-9µm and size does not vary much betwen species. The prime exception is F. tonii which is much biger, 10-20 µm.

Geological Range:
Last occurrence (top): near base of Ypresian Stage (5% up, 55.6Ma, in Ypresian stage). Data source: Total of range of species in this database
First occurrence (base): in upper part of Danian Stage (69% up, 63Ma, in Danian stage). Data source: Total of range of species in this database

References:

Aubry, M. P., Bord, D. & Rodriguez, O. (2011). New taxa of the Order Discoasterales Hay 1977. Micropaleontology. 57(3): 269-287. gs

Aubry, M. -P., Rodriguez, O., Bord, D., Godfrey, L., Schmitz, B. & Knox, R. W. O. B. (2012). The first radation of the Fasciculiths: Morphologic adaptations of the coccolithophores to oligotrophy. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences. 105(1): 29-38. gs

Hay, W. W. & Mohler, H. P. (1967). Calcareous nannoplankton from Early Tertiary rocks at Point Labau, France and Paleocene-Early Eocene correlations. Journal of Paleontology. 41(6): 1505-1541. gs

Monechi, S., Reale, V., Bernaola, G. & Balestra, B. (2012). Taxonomic review of early Paleocene fasciculiths. Micropaleontology. 58(4): 351-365. gs

Monechi, S., Reale, V., Bernaola, G. & Balestra, B. (2013). The Danian/Selandian boundary at Site 1262 (South Atlantic) and in the Tethyan region: Biomagnetostratigraphy, evolutionary trends in fasciculiths and environmental effects of the Latest Danian Event. Marine Micropaleontology. 98(1): 28-40. gs

Perch-Nielsen, K. (1985a). Cenozoic calcareous nannofossils. In, Bolli, H. M., Saunders, J. B. & Perch-Nielsen, K. (eds) Plankton Stratigraphy. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 427-555. gs

Romein, A. J. T. (1979). Lineages in Early Paleogene calcareous nannoplankton. Utrecht Micropaleontological Bulletin. 22: 1-231. gs V O

Daughter taxa: (blue => in age window 0-800Ma)		Granddaughter taxa
	Diantholitha Squat fasciculiths divided into sub-equal upper and lower cycles with different optical orientations. Conical openings on both sides, no fenestrae	D. mariposa
	Fasciculithus Conical or cylindrical fasciculiths formed of a single cycle of elements, outer surface is usually covered by fenestrae.	F. alanii group F. involutus group F. schaubii group F. sp.
	Gompholithus Fasciculiths formed of a single cycle, arguably with central body, deep cavity on one side, no fenestrae	G. magnicordis G. magnus
	Lithoptychius Complex fasciculiths - formed of two or three discrete cycles; no fenestrae	L. billii L. janii L. pileatus L. ulii L. varolii L. vertebratoides L. sp.

Tags	LITHS:
Metrics	Lith size: 0->0µm;

Fasciculithaceae

References:

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