Ellipsolithus
Classification: ntax_cenozoic -> Coccolith families inc sed -> Coccolith genera inc sed -> Ellipsolithus
Sister taxa: Aliculosphaera, Biantholithus, Camuralithus, Centumgemina, Ellipsolithus, Gladiolithus, Ilselithina, Leesella, Pedinocyclus, Petasus
Daughter taxa (time control age-window is: 0-800Ma) |
 |  |  |  | Ellipsolithus anadoluensis
Elliptical to oblong Ellipsolithus with well separated shields and high tube that is highly birefringent in XPL. Thin finely perforate central area plate is not visible in LM.
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 |  |  |  | Ellipsolithus aubryae
Large, elliptical to oblong Ellipsolithus with wide central area spanned by a perforate plate with two rings of small perforations.
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 |  |  |  | Ellipsolithus bollii
Elliptical Ellipsolithus with central area plate with small perforations.
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 |  |  |  | Ellipsolithus distichus
Moderate to large, oblong Ellipsolithus with thin, finely perforate proximal central area plate and additional distal bars that form the birefringent net (8-16 large holes) that is clearly visible in LM.
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 |  | | | Ellipsolithus lajollaensis
Elliptical to oblong Ellipsolithus with narrow central area spanned by plate with small perforations.
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 |  |  |  | Ellipsolithus macellus
Moderate to large elliptical to oblong Ellipsolithus with conjunct, birefringent central area plate.
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 |  |  |  | Ellipsolithus pumex
Medium-sized Ellipsolithus with relatively wide central area (width similar to the rim width) spanned by a finely perforate plate.
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 |  |  |  | Ellipsolithus sp.
Specimens which cannot be assigned to any established species
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Taxonomy:
Citation: Ellipsolithus Sullivan, 1964Rank: GenusType species: Ellipsolithus macellus (Bramlette & Sullivan, 1961) Sullivan, 1964Taxonomic discussion: Ellipsolithus coccoliths have a structure that is quite distinct from the principal Cenozoic placolith orders Coccolithales and Isochrysidales. The unicyclic distal shields are formed from numerous (>50) narrow elements joined along highly ‘frilled’ suture lines. The central area is spanned by perforate (E. anadoluensis) or imperforate (E. macellus) plates and may have additional bars (E. distichus, E. bollii, E. lajollaensis).
Distinguishing features: Elliptical to oblong placoliths with shields formed from numerous narrow elements and central areas spanned by plates that may be perforate.
Farinacci & Howe catalog pages: Ellipsolithus + *
Size: Coccoliths medium-sized to very large (6-14 µm). All species similar size except E. aubryae (consistently >10 µm long)
Search data:
| Tags | LITHS: placolith, elliptical, CA: ca_conjunct, plate, pores, CROSS-POLARS: rim-unicyclic, R-prominent, |
| Metrics | Lith size: 6->14µm; |
The morphological data given here can be used on the advanced search page. See also these notes
Geological Range:
Last occurrence (top): in upper part of Lutetian Stage (74% up, 42.9Ma, in Lutetian stage). Data source: Total of range of species in this database
First occurrence (base): in upper part of Danian Stage (63% up, 63.2Ma, in Danian stage). Data source: Total of range 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
- Neptune data: This is a higher taxon page so Neptune data is not plotted. See also: customisable plot Parent: Coccolith genera inc sed
References:
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
Sullivan, F. R. (1964). Lower Tertiary nannoplankton from the California Coast Ranges. I. Paleocene. University of California Publications in Geological Sciences. 44: 163-227. gs
