Stephanolithiaceae
Classification: ntax_mesozoic -> Stephanolithiales -> Stephanolithiaceae
Sister taxa: Parhabdolithaceae, Stephanolithiaceae
Distinguishing features: Murolith (protolith type) coccoliths with rims of non-imbricate V-units and weakly-developed, or vestigial, proximal/inner-cycles (R-units), with central-areas spanned by one to numerous bars.
Daughter taxa (time control age-window is: 0-800Ma) | Granddaughter taxa |
 |  |  |  | Cylindralithus
Circular or sub-circular with high, sculpted, wall; central-area vacant or with cross bars.
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 |  |  |  | Darwinilithus
Cylindrical nannofossil with median flange, a flaring cone on one side and a circlet of flaring spines on the other
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 |  |  |  | Rotelapillus
Subcircular to circular; rim high, narrow, bicyclic; central area spanned by radial bars; Short spines protrude from the rim
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 |  |  |  | Stephanolithion
Elliptical and often polygonal; rims low but broad, bicyclic; central-area spanned by one to eight bars; prominent spines protrude from the rim
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 |  |  |  | Stoverius
Narrowly elliptical to circular; rim low, bicyclic; central area wide, spanned by cross bars.
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 |  |  |  | Stradnerlithus
Elliptical to diamond-shaped; rims low, narrow, unicyclic; central-area spanned by bars, radiating from central node or a longitudinal bar, usually spine bearing; typically small fragile and inconspicuous in LM.
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| Polygonal |
 |  |  |  | Corollithion
Polygonal, usually hexagonal; rim bicyclic; central area with 4-6 radial bars
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 |  |  |  | Rhombolithion
Diamond-shaped; rim unicyclic (stradnerlithids).
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 |  |  |  | Truncatoscaphus
Polygonal (subhexagonal), often elongate and narrow; muroliths with central area spanned by a longitudinal bar and 6 or more lateral bars.
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| Complex central structure |
 |  |  | | Paralithella
Very small (<2 µm) elliptical stephanolithid; central area with bridge supporting a hollow spine and bars parallel to the long axis
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 |  |  |  | Rectocorona
Elliptical murolith with non-imbricate wall and low spine supported by complex central structure
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 |  |  |  | Thurmannolithion
Elliptical; rim narrow; central area with axial cross, numerous lateral bars and spine
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Taxonomy:
Citation: Stephanolithiaceae Black 1968Rank: FamilyTaxonomic discussion: The family as originally described by Black (1968) included only Stephanolithion. The concept of the family was broadened by Black (1973).
Farinacci & Howe catalog pages: Stephanolithiaceae [no catalog entry yet]
Distinguishing features: Murolith (protolith type) coccoliths with rims of non-imbricate V-units and weakly-developed, or vestigial, proximal/inner-cycles (R-units), with central-areas spanned by one to numerous bars.
Morphology: LM image is usually unicyclic and inconspicuous, although a number of genera do exhibit bicyclicity, e.g. Rotelapillus, Stephanolithion and Stoverius. Coccolith outlines may be polygonal.
Search data:
| Tags | LITHS: murolith, ca_disjunct, |
| Metrics | Lith size: 0->0µm; |
The morphological data given here can be used on the advanced search page. See also these notes
Geological Range:
Last occurrence (top): at top of Maastrichtian Stage (100% up, 66Ma, in Maastrichtian stage). Data source: Total of range of species in this database
First occurrence (base): in lower part of Pliensbachian Stage (21% up, 189.1Ma, in Pliensbachian 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: Stephanolithiales
References:
Black, M. (1968). Taxonomic problems in the study of coccoliths. Palaeontology. 11: 793-813. gs V O
Black, M. (1973). British Lower Cretaceous Coccoliths. I-Gault Clay (Part 2). Palaeontographical Society Monograph. 127: 49-112. gs
Bown, P. R. & Cooper, M. K. E. (1998). Jurassic. In, Bown, P. R. (ed.) Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy. British Micropalaeontological Society Publication Series. 34-85. gs
Bown, P. R., Rutledge, D. C., Crux, J. A. & Gallagher, L. T. (1998). Early Cretaceous. In, Bown, P. R. (ed.) Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy. British Micropalaeontological Society Publication Series. 86-131. gs
