Daughter taxa (time control age-window is: 0-800Ma)
primalis -> obliquiloculata lineage
Pulleniatina finalis Like P. obliquiloculata but more involute, aperture wider nearly symmetrical over the periphery and a pseudoplanispiral appearance in the last whorl, fewer chambers in final whorl (4 vs 4-5).
Pulleniatina obliquiloculata Test large subspherical and streptospiral, rounded, aperture extending from umbilical area to periphery and onto spiral side.
Pulleniatina praecursor Like P. primalis but aperture extends onto the equatorial periphery of the previous whorl.
Pulleniatina spectabilis Like P. praespectabilis but pseudocarina (pinched periphery) on final whorl, dorsal surface flatter, petaloid outline and anguloconical shape.
Pulleniatina praespectabilis Like P. primalis but slightly petaloid biconvex test, more triangular umbilical chamber shape and acute periphery.
Pulleniatina sp. Specimens which cannot be assigned to established morphospecies
Taxonomy
Citation: Pulleniatina Cushman 1927Taxonomic rank: genusType species: Pullenia obliquiloculata Parker & Jones 1865Taxonomic discussion: Pulleniatina includes forms with trochospiral to streptospiral coiling, a subglobular test encrusted with a thick cortex, and an aperture that is interiomarginal, umbilical-extraumbilicalin position. This genus resembles Globigerina in early development but differs in exhibiting later streptospiral coiling and an embracing final chamber with characteristic extraumbilical peripheral aperture and thick cortex. Until 1964, the genus Pulleniatina was considered monotypic, represented only by the type species P. obliquiloculata (Parker and Jones). However, detailed work by Banner and Blow (1967) on the evolution of this genus revealed greater taxonomic diversity and complexity (Kennett & Srinivasan 1983).
A complete review of the genus is provided by Pearson et al. (2025).
Distinguishing features: Parent taxon (Globorotaliidae): Macroperforate, non-spinose This taxon: Compact streptospiral test with smooth cortical coating and large slit-like aperture
NB These concise distinguishing features statements are used in the tables of daughter-taxa to act as quick summaries of the differences between e.g. species of one genus. They are being edited as the site is developed and comments on them are especially welcome.
Description
Emended description: Nonspinose planktonic foraminifera with a weakly cancellate, porous wall capped by a smooth reflective cortex in the terminal stage; initially trochospiral with a tendency for involute streptospiral coiling in some species. [Pearson et al. 2025] Wall type: Nonspinose; Smooth with cortex [Pearson et al. 2025]
Character matrix
test outline:
-
chamber arrangement:
Enveloping
edge view:
-
aperture:
-
sp chamber shape:
-
coiling axis:
-
periphery:
-
aperture border:
-
umb chbr shape:
-
umbilicus:
-
periph margin shape:
-
accessory apertures:
None
spiral sutures:
-
umb depth:
-
wall texture:
Smooth
shell porosity:
Macroperforate: >2.5µm
umbilical or test sutures:
-
final-whorl chambers:
3-6
N.B. These characters are used for advanced search. N/A - not applicable
Biogeography and Palaeobiology
Phylogenetic relationsThe earliest member of the Pulleniatina lineage, P. primalis, evolved from Neogloboquadrina acostaensis in Zone M13 (Part of Zone N17B) at about 6.50 Ma [Pearson et al. 2025], and provides a useful datum (Pearson et al. 2025; Pearson et al. 2023; Srinivasan and Kennett, 1981a). Pulleniatina primalis evolved within two separate lineages: (1) P. primalis to P. praecursor to P. obliquiloculata and (2) a relatively short-lived, geographically restricted lineage from P. primalis to P. spectabilis. [Pearson et al. 2025; Kennett & Srinivasan 1983]
Most likely ancestor: Neogloboquadrina - at confidence level 3 (out of 5). Data source: Kennett & Srinivasan 1983; Pearson et al. 2025.
Biostratigraphic distribution
Geological Range: Last occurrence (top): Extant. Data source: Total of ranges of the species in this database First occurrence (base): within M13b subzone (6.14-8.58Ma, base in Tortonian stage). Data source: Total of ranges 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
Primary source for this page: Kennett & Srinivasan 1983, p.199; Pearson et al. 2025
References:
Banner, F. T. & Blow, W. H. (1967). The origin, evolution and taxonomy of the foraminiferal genus Pulleniatina Cushman, 1927. Micropaleontology. 13(2): 133-162. gs
Cushman, J. A. (1927a). An outline of a re-classification of the Foraminifera. Contributions from the Cushman Laboratory for Foraminiferal Research. 3: 1-105. gsO
Kennett, J. P. & Srinivasan, M. S. (1983). Neogene Planktonic Foraminifera. Hutchinson Ross Publishing Co., Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. 1-265. gs
Pearson, P. N. & Penny, L. (2021). Coiling directions in the planktonic foraminifer Pulleniatina: A complex eco-evolutionary dynamic spanning millions of years. PLoS One. 16: 360-. gs
Pearson, P. N., Young, J. R., King, D. J. & Wade, B. S. (2023). Biochronology and evolution of Pulleniatina (planktonic foraminifera). Journal of Micropalaeontology. 42: 211-255. gs
Pearson, P. N., Fabbrini, A. & Wade, B. S. (2025). Systematic taxonomy of Pulleniatina. Journal of Foraminiferal Research. 55(3): 245-275. gs
Srinivasan, M. S. & Kennett, J. P. (1981a). A review of Neogene planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy: applications in the equatorial and south Pacific. SEPM Special Publication. 395-432. gs
Pulleniatina compiled by the pforams@mikrotax project teamviewed: 11-6-2026
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