Taxonomy:
Distinguishing features: Biantholithus with 8-12 visible elements/rays in LM.
Farinacci & Howe catalog pages: B. sparsus *
Morphology: The rays show oblique crystallographic orientation rather than radial
Tags | LITHS: placolith, circular, CA: closed, CSPH: equant, monomorphic, CROSS-POLARS: rim-unicyclic, R-prominent, |
Metrics | Lith size: 8->15µm; Segments: 8->12; Data source notes: lith length from OD & illustrated specimens |
Geological Range:
Notes: Mostly recorded from NP1-3, where it is frequently present, less common in the rest of the Paleocene. Monechi et al. (2013) suggest a top in mid NP4.
Pospichal & Wise (1990) suggest B. sparsus is the first incoming species in the Danian at high latitudes.
Last occurrence (top): within NP10 zone (54.17-55.86Ma, top in Ypresian stage). Data source: [PRB rough estimate]
First occurrence (base): within NP1 zone (65.47-66.04Ma, base in Danian stage). Data source: Perch-Nielsen 1985
Plot of occurrence data:
Bramlette, M. N. & Martini, E. (1964). The great change in calcareous nannoplankton fossils between the Maestrichtian and Danian. Micropaleontology. 10(2): 291-322. gs Bybell, L. M. & Self-Trail, J. (1995). Evolutionary, biostratigraphic and taxonomic study of calcareous nanofossils from a continuous Palaeocene-Eocene boundary section in New Jersey. U.S. Geological Survey, Professional Paper. 1554: 1-36. gs V O Mai, H. (2001). New coccolithophorid taxa fom the Guelhemmerberg airshaft. Lower Paleocene, The Netherlands. Micropaleontology. 47: 144-154. gs Mai, H., Romein, A. J. T. & Willems, H. (1994). Coccospheres of a rare nannofossil species: Biantholithus sparsus Bramlette and Martini, 1964. Marine Micropaleontology. 24(1-2): 1-2. gs Mai, H., von Salis, K., Willems, H. & Romein, A. J. T. (1997a). Fossil coccospheres from the K/T boundary section from Geulhemmerberg, The Netherlands. Micropaleontology. 43(281-302): -. gs Okada, H. & Thierstein, H. R. (1979). Calcareous nannoplankton - Leg 43, Deep Sea Drilling Project. Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project. 43: 507-573. gs V O 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 Pospichal, J. J. & Wise, S. W. (1990a). Calcareous nannofossils across the K/T boundary, ODP hole 690C, Maud Rise, Weddell Sea. Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results. 113: 515-532. gs V O Romein, A. J. T., Willems, H. & Mai, H. (1996). Calcareous nannoplankton of the Geulhemmerberg K/T boundary section, Maastrichtian type area, the Netherlands. Geologie en Mijnbouw. 75: 231-238. gs Thibault, N. (2010). Calcareous nannofossils from the boreal Upper Campanian- Maastrichtian chalk of Denmark. Journal of Nannoplankton Research. 31(1): 39-56. gs V O Varol, O. (1998). Palaeogene. In, Bown, P. R. (ed.) Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy. British Micropalaeontological Society Publication Series. 200-224. gsReferences:
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Biantholithus sparsus compiled by Jeremy R. Young, Paul R. Bown, Jacqueline A. Lees viewed: 1-3-2021
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