Original descriptions of taxa - also emended descriptions for a few taxa. For coccolithophores, and many calcispheres, these are pages from the Farinacci & Howe Catalog of Calcareous Nannofossils. In other cases (e.g. non-calcifying haptophytes) the data is directly compiled on this site. The "Catalogue of Calcareous Nannofossils" was originally compiled by Prof A. Farinacci 1969-1989, since 2000 it has been updated and extended by Richard Howe - see The Farinacci and Howe Catalog - an Introduction.
Taxa are sorted alphabetically for simple browsing, or you can use search boxes at the top & bottom of the page
Farinacci - Discoaster artatus.pdf
Varol & Bowman 2024 pl31 04.jpg
Varol & Bowman 2024 pl31 05.jpg
Varol & Bowman 2024 pl31 06.jpg
Varol & Bowman 2024 pl31 09.jpg
Varol & Bowman 2024 pl32 f01-12.jpg
Varol & Bowman 2024 pl33 f01-12.jpg
Varol & Bowman 2024 pl32 f13-24.jpg
Varol & Bowman 2024 fig 9-03.JPG
Varol & Bowman 2024 fig 9-04.JPG
Current identification:
Compiled data
Citation: Discoaster artatus Varol & Bowman 2024Taxonomic rank: speciesType specimens: Holotype: Plate 32, Figs. 13-24 (same specimen in mobile mount). Type age (chronostrat): Zone NN6, Middle Miocene. Standardised type level: 122_MIDDLE MIOCENEType locality: IODP Leg 354, Hole 1451B, Ninetyeast Ridge, Bengal Fan, Indian Ocean, core 29R, section 4W, 58-59 cm. Type repository: Varol Research, LlandudnoRepository Country: Wales
Combinations:
Discoaster artatus Varol & Bowman 2024 (basionym)
Original Description These hexagonal species have segments with very short arms, distinct proximal ridges without any knob on the bulged proximal side and sutural ridges created by the deep cavities on the distal side. The sutural ridges are raised towards the centre and capped by boomerang-shaped distal covers. Size: Dimensions of holotype: Maximum diameter: 8.25 µm, Diameter of the central area: 4.77 µm, Length of arms: 1.74 µm, Maximum thickness: 4.57 µm (measurements from bright field micrograph). Etymology: From the Latin artatus, short - refers to the short free length of the segments. Extra details from original publication
1993 Catinaster sp. Aubry (pro parte), Pl. 3, Figs. 17-19; non-Pl. Pl. 2, Figs. 12, 16; non Pl. 3, figs. 11?15
2008 Catinaster sp. A - Denne, p.232, pl.2, figs. 5a-b.
2014 Catinaster virginianus Self-Trail, Pl. 1, Figs. 1-12; Pl. 1, Figs. 11-10; non Pl. 2, Figs. 1-3.
Remarks:Discoaster artatus is distinguished from Discoaster self-trailiae, Discoaster virginianus and its variant, Discoaster gamberi, by lacking any proximal knob. Discoaster virginianus has a hexagonal proximal knob, whereas Discoaster self-trailiae has a petaloid proximal knob.
Occurrence: This species is recorded from ODP Leg 154, Hole 926A Ceara Rise, Atlantic Ocean, IODP Leg 354, Hole 1451B, Ninetyeast Ridge, Bengal Fan, Indian Ocean, USGS-NASA Langley core in Hampton, VA, USA and various commercial oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico. 21
Varol, O. & Bowman, A. R. (2024). The new Middle Miocene genus Olladiscoaster, and related and associated discoasters. Grzybowski Foundation Special Publication. 28: 1-102. gs
Discoaster artatus: Catalog entry compiled by Jeremy Young. Viewed: 9-8-2026