Nannotax3 - ntax_non_cocco

Nannotax3 - ntax_non_cocco - Actiniscus Nannotax3 - ntax_non_cocco - Actiniscus

Actiniscus

Classification: ntax_non_cocco -> Dinophytes -> Silicifying dinoflagellates -> Actiniscus
Sister taxa: Actiniscus

Distinguishing features:
Parent taxon (Silicifying dinoflagellates):
This taxon: Dinoflagellate with siliceous internal skeleton formed of two star-like bodies

Daughter taxa (time control age-window is: 0-800Ma)
				Actiniscus pentasterias Skeletal bodies are 5-rayed with concavo-convex shape and a sculpted surface

Taxonomy:

Citation: Actiniscus Ehrenberg 1843

Rank: Genus

Type species: Actiniscus pentasterias (Ehrenberg) Ehrenberg 1843

Taxonomic discussion: According to Algaebase 36 species have been described in Actiniscus, predominantly by Ehrenberg. Of these they regard the following as 'currently accepted'

Actiniscus pentasterias (Ehrenberg) Ehrenberg
Actiniscus pentasterias var. arcticus Bursa (Freshwater)
Actiniscus canadensis A.L.Bursa ex S.Carty 2014 (Freshwater)
Actiniscus flosculus S.Locker & E.Martini 1986 (Miocene)
Actiniscus laciniatus S.Locker & E.Martini 1986 (Miocene)
Actiniscus squamosus S.Locker & E.Martini 1986 (Miocene)

Actiniscus pentasterias is thus the only accepted modern marine species, although the other names do appear in some taxonomic lists. This is confirmed by a web and PDF search, the only name being used for modern marine Actiniscus is A. pentasterias
Locker & Martini (1986 DSDP 90) is useful initial reference for the literature on fossil actiniscids.

Catalog entries: Actiniscus

Distinguishing features:
Parent taxon (Silicifying dinoflagellates):
This taxon: Dinoflagellate with siliceous internal skeleton formed of two star-like bodies

Morphology:

Slightly compressed biflagellated cells of medium-sized (30-70 µm) with a slightly displaced cingulum and well-developed sulcus giving the cells an appearence of Gymnodinium Stein. Differs from Gymnodinium by the presence of siliceous internal skeleton composed of 2 equal parts composed of a ring from which 5 (4-8) star-like arms radiate. No chloroplasts, nucleus enclosed in the internal skeleton. Marine plankton, of worldwide distribution [description by M. Elbrachter on Algaebase].

Geological Range:
Last occurrence (top): Extant. Data source: Total of range of species in this database
First occurrence (base): within No known fossil record modern (0.00-0.00Ma, base in "Holocene" stage). Data source: Total of range of species in this database

References:

Ehrenberg, C. G. (1843). Über die verbreitung des jetzt wirkenden kleinsten organischen lebens in Asien, Australien und Afrika und über die vorherrschende bildung auch des oolithkalkes der Juraformation aus kleinen polythalamischen thieren. Bericht uber die zu Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Koniglichen Preussische Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. 100-106. gs

Locker, S. & Martini, E. (1986). Ebridians and actiniscidians from the southwest Pacific. Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project. 90: 941-951. gs V O

Actiniscus compiled by Jeremy R. Young viewed: 29-3-2023

Taxon Search:

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AphiaID: 109472 Nomenclatural data on WoRMS
Short stables page link: https://mikrotax.org/Nannotax3/index.php?id=20003 Go to Archive.is to create a permanent copy of this page - citation notes

Comments (3)

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Ines Galovic (Zagreb, Croatia)

Please see the records from Miocene to Holocene in the following article: Orr W.N. and Conley S. (1976): Siliceous dinoflagellates in the northeast Pacific rim. Micropaleontology 22/1, 92-99.

29th October 2019 2:39pm

Ines Galovic (Croatia)

I found A. stella (Ehrenberg,1840)Ehrenberg, 1854, in middle Miocene i.e. Sarmatian (Croatia) and A. pentasterias from Karpatian (Austria) to Recent (Adriatic).

3rd March 2015 3:39pm

Ines Galovic (Croatia)

It looks like more to A. stella (Ehr.)Ehrenberg than A. pentasterias (Ehrenberg)Ehrenberg.

3rd March 2015 3:29pm

Jeremy Young (UCL, UK)

In the modern plankton it is generally accepted that there is only one species, A. pentasterias and these are quite typical specimens.

2nd June 2015 10:36am

Ines Galovic (Croatia)

I'm sending a SEM and LM figures of fossil and recent A. pentasterias that differs from your images. I'm sorry for bad scan. Unfortunately, AlgaeBase are not complete and missing lot of species, descriptions, references and their synonyms from Paratethyan and Adriatic Sea. (invalid-image)

13th August 2015 3:21pm

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