Daughter taxa (time control age-window is: 0-800Ma)
Sphenolithus anarrhopus Medium sized (height 6.2-9.2 µm) with short to relatively long spine that is slightly asymmetrical and dark at 0°. Square-shaped base with near-equidimensional quadrants and deep spine insertion.
Sphenolithus conspicuus Medium sized (height 5.0-6.7 µm) narrow sphenolith with a tall spine that is dark at 0° and conspicuously bright at 45°. Tall base with long upper quadrants that form part of the spine.
Sphenolithus editus Small to medium sized (height 4.5-7.8 µm) with short spine, broad triangular shape (dart shaped) and wide base in which the lower quadrants dominate. Compound spine is dark at 0°.
Sphenolithus rioi Medium-sized sphenolith with a prominent apical spine, extending symmetrically from the basal part.
Sphenolithus villae Large (height 7.5-19.8 µm) narrow sphenolith with a tall spine that is dark at 0°. Relatively tall base, with roughly equidimensional upper and lower quadrants. The spine indents deeply into the upper quadrants, appears to be monocrystalline, and is brightest at 45°.
Taxonomy:
Citation: Sphenolithus conspicuus groupRank: species group
Distinguishing features: Late Paleocene and Early Eocene sphenoliths with monocrystalline spines
Farinacci & Howe catalog pages:
Search data:
Tags
LITHS:
Metrics
Lith size: 4->20µm;
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 Ypresian Stage (67% up, 50.5Ma, in Ypresian stage). Data source: Total of range of species in this database First occurrence (base): in upper part of Selandian Stage (71% up, 59.9Ma, in Selandian 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. For the customisable plot option go to a genus page Parent: Sphenolithus
References:
S. conspicuus group compiled by Jeremy R. Young, Paul R. Bown, Jacqueline A. Lees viewed: 30-7-2021
