Taxonomy:
Distinguishing features: Liths similar to quadriperforatus but larger (3-4 µm), with more pores (8-20) and lacking castellations; single irregular boss near centre of lith.
Farinacci & Howe catalog pages: S. schilleri * , D. macroporus *
Morphology: LM observations show that the ultrastructure is similar to that of Calcidiscus leptoporus ssp. quadriperforatus HOL. In comparison to quadriperforatus holococoliths the liths are larger (3-4 µm), have more pores (8-20) and a better-developed double wall - outer layer with radial c-axes, inner layer formed by extension of septae so with vertical c-axes.
Size: Liths 3-4 µm long.
Biology & life-cycles: A single, unambiguous, combination coccosphere with Scyphosphaera apsteinii was described and illustrated by Frada et al. (2009) from the North Atlantic.
See also: Scyphosphaera apsteinii - heterococcolith stage;Holodiscolithus macroporus - fossil 'species' probably including records of S. apsteinii HOL;
Search data:Tags | LITHS: holococcolith, elliptical, CA: pores, CSPH: equant, monomorphic, CROSS-POLARS: V-prominent, R-prominent, |
Metrics | Lith size: 2.7->3.7µm; Coccosphere size: 10->14µm; Liths per sphere: 60->100 Data source notes: morphom data from Cros & Fortuño (2002) |
Geological Range:
Last occurrence (top): Extant Data source: present in the plankton (Young et al. 2003)
First occurrence (base): within Eocene Epoch (33.89-55.96Ma, base in Ypresian stage). Data source: [JRY rough estimate]
Plot of occurrence data:
Cros, L. & Fortuño, J. -M. (2002). Atlas of northwestern Mediterranean coccolithophores. Scientia Marina. 66: 1-186. gs V O Deflandre, G. & Fert, C. (1954). Observations sur les coccolithophoridés actuels et fossiles en microscopie ordinaire et électronique. Annales de Paléontologie. 40: 115-176. gs Frada, M., Percopo, I., Young, J. R., Zingone, A., de Vargas, C. & Probert, I. (2009). First observations of heterococcolithophore-holococcolithophore life cycle combinations in the family Pontosphaeraceae (Calcihaptophycideae, Haptophyta). Marine Micropaleontology. 71(1): 20-27. gs Lohmann, H. (1902). Die Coccolithophoridae, eine Monographie der Coccolithen bildenden Flagellaten, zugleich ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis des Mittelmeerauftriebs. Archiv für Protistenkunde. 1: 89-165. gs V O Okada, H. & McIntyre, A. (1977). Modern coccolithophores of the Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans. Micropaleontology. 23(1): 1-55. gs Roth, P. H. (1970). Oligocene calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy. Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae. 63: 799-881. gs V O Young, J. R. (1998). Neogene. In, Bown, P. R. (ed.) Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy. British Micropalaeontological Society Publication Series. 225-265. gs V O Young, J. R., Geisen, M., Cros, L., Kleijne, A., Probert, I. & Ostergaard, J. B. (2003). A guide to extant coccolithophore taxonomy. Journal of Nannoplankton Research, Special Issue. 1: 1-132. gs V OReferences:
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Scyphosphaera apsteinii HOL compiled by Jeremy R. Young, Paul R. Bown, Jacqueline A. Lees viewed: 4-3-2021
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