Original descriptions of 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.
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Original Description Monocarinate calcareous dinoflagellate cysts charac- terized by a spherical to antapically, conically lengthened central body. A circlet-like rim of coarser crystallites frames the apical side of the central body. The single-layered wall consists of small idiomorphous rhombohedrons in irregular orientation. The crystallites are arranged around pores, thus forming reticular distal and proximal surface sculptures. The circular archaeopyle has an apical orientation and is probably formed by the release of the paraplate 3'. Etymology: Latin, rete, net; Greek, sphaira, sphere. Based on the reticular surface structure of the basically spherical central body of the cysts. Extra details from original publication Remarks: This genus differs from other reticulate sculptured genera in the monocarinate shape and the frequently occurring conically lengthened hypocyst. Only one species, Retesphaera diadema, is known.
References:
Hildebrand-Habel, T., Willems, H. & Versteegh, G. J. M. (1999). Variations in calcareous dinoflagellate associations from the Maastrichtian to Middle Eocene of the western South Atlantic Ocean (São Paulo Plateau, DSDP Leg 39, Site 356). Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 106: 57-87. gs
Retesphaera: Catalog entry compiled by Jeremy Young. Viewed: 11-10-2024
