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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Farinacci - Olladiscoaster perplexus.pdf
Varol & Bowman 2024 pl16 f01-24.jpg
Varol & Bowman 2024 pl17 f01-16.jpg
Varol & Bowman 2024 pl18 f01-16.jpg
Varol & Bowman 2024 pl15 f01-20.jpg
Varol & Bowman 2024 fig 7-15.JPG
Varol & Bowman 2024 fig 7-16.JPG
Current identification:
Compiled data
Citation: Olladiscoaster perplexus Varol & Bowman 2024Taxonomic rank: speciesType specimens: Holotype: Plate 15, Figs. 1-20 (same specimen in mobile mount). Type age (chronostrat): Zone NN6, Middle Miocene. Type locality: USGS-NASA Langley core Hampton, VA, USA. Type repository: Varol Research, LlandudnoRepository Country: Wales
Original Description Hexagonal species of Olladiscoaster have segments without arms. On the distal side, the distinct sutural ridges are created by the deep cavities. The sutural ridges are almost aligned to the vertices of the species and are distinctly raised towards the centre and capped by kite-shaped distal covers. The distinct proximal ridges with a hexagonal-stellate knob decorate the bulged proximal side. At the side view, Olladiscoaster perplexus resembles a bouquet. Size: Dimensions of holotype: Maximum diameter: 6.43 µm, Maximum height: 5.8 µm; Diameter of the proximal knob: 3.53 µm, Height of the proximal knob: 1.25 µm (measurements from bright field micrograph) Etymology: From the Latin perplexus, confused - refers to the very unusual close alignment of the sutural ridges to the apices of the species. Extra details from original publication Remarks:Olladiscoaster perplexus and Olladiscoaster exagonikoasteri have hexagonal outlines, and their sutural ridges are almost aligned with the vertices of the species. Olladiscoaster perplexus differs from Olladiscoaster exagonikoasteri by having kite shape distal cover and a hexagon-stellate proximal knob, whereas the latter has a boomerang shape distal cover and lacks a proximal knob.
Occurrence: This species is recorded from IODP Leg 354, Hole 1451B, Ninetyeast Ridge, Bengal Fan, Indian Ocean, USGS-NASA Langley core 134.4 m, Hampton, VA, USA and various commercial oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico.
Stratigraphic range: Middle Miocene (Zone NN6).
References:
Varol, O. & Bowman, A. R. (2024). The new Middle Miocene genus Olladiscoaster, and related and associated discoasters. Grzybowski Foundation Special Publication. 28: 1-102. gs
Olladiscoaster perplexus: Catalog entry compiled by Jeremy Young. Viewed: 5-3-2026