Nannotax3 - ntax_main

Nannotax3 - ntax_main - Biscutaceae Nannotax3 - ntax_main - Biscutaceae

Biscutaceae

Classification: ntax_main -> Mesozoic nannofossils -> Podorhabdales -> Biscutaceae
Sister taxa: Axopodorhabdaceae, Biscutaceae, Calyculaceae, Cretarhabdaceae, Mazaganellaceae, Prediscosphaeraceae, Tubodiscaceae

Daughter taxa (time control age-window is: 0-800Ma)		Granddaughter taxa
	Main genera
	Biscutum Elliptical with broad shields with or without a prominent inner tube cycle; the central-area may be imperforate or narrow and vacant or spanned by a simple structure (plate, cross or bar).	Biscutum harrisonii Biscutum braloweri Biscutum constans Biscutum ellipticum Biscutum neocoronum Biscutum coronum Biscutum dekaenelii Biscutum magnum Biscutum melaniae Biscutum arrogans Biscutum asymmetricum Biscutum boletum Biscutum dissimilis Biscutum zulloii Biscutum hattneri Biscutum notaculum Biscutum virginica Biscutum gaultensis Biscutum jurensis Biscutum thurowii Biscutum davyi Biscutum depravatum Biscutum dorsetensis Biscutum dubium Biscutum erismatum Biscutum grande Biscutum intermedium Biscutum planum Biscutum profundum Biscutum sp.
	Discorhabdus Circular, shields broad, usually without a prominent inner tube cycle; central-area typically narrow, may contain a spine.	Discorhabdus sp. Danian Discorhabdus ignotus Discorhabdus striatus Discorhabdus criotus Markalius vetulus Discorhabdus corollatus Discorhabdus patulus Discorhabdus biradiatus Discorhabdus hannibalis Discorhabdus watkinsii Discorhabdus sp.
	Similiscutum Subcircular-elliptical with smooth, grey appearance in XPL and a narrow, bright inner-cycle; central-area narrow and may be empty or spanned by an axial cross.	Similiscutum avitum Similiscutum cruciulus Similiscutum finchii Similiscutum novum Similiscutum orbiculus Similiscutum precarium Similiscutum sp.
	Gnera with distinctive structures
	Boletuvelum Asymmetric base, with large, hollow, flaring spines, closed distally by a domed covering	Boletuvelum candens Palaeopontosphaera patula sensu Lambert 1993 Boletuvelum sp.
	Chiastella Elliptical, minute with diagonal cross suporting a hollow spine	Chiastella grana
	Crucibiscutum Elliptical with prominent, birefringent, axial cross.	Crucibiscutum hayi Podorhabdus quadriperforatus Crucibiscutum bastetanum Crucibiscutum gracile Crucibiscutum neuquenensis Crucibiscutum pinnatus Crucibiscutum ryazanicum Crucibiscutum salebrosum Crucibiscutum trilensis Crucibiscutum sp.
	Gaarderella Elliptical, large with broad shields; central area wide, spanned by a granular plate.	Gaarderella granulifera Gaarderella sp.
	Gephyrobiscutum Elliptical with unicyclic rim; central-area spanned by oblique transverse bar with two distal spikes	Gephyrobiscutum diabolum Gephyrobiscutum sp.
	Helicorhabdus Circular with proximal shield wider than distal; spine with helical structure	Helicorhabdus asymetricus Helicorhabdus sp.
	Jimenezberrocosoia Elliptical with slits between shield elements and axial cross	Jimenezberrocosoia birchiae Jimenezberrocosoia bosunensis
	Seribiscutum Elliptical with central-area spanned by broad platelets.	Seribiscutum bijugum Seribiscutum primitivum Seribiscutum sp.
	Sollasites Elliptical with relatively wide central-area spanned by complex structure	Sollasites arctus Sollasites arcuatus Sollasites bipolaris Sollasites concentricus Sollasites falklandensis Sollasites horticus Sollasites lowei Sollasites pristinus Sollasites thiersteinii Sollasites sp.

Taxonomy:

Citation: Biscutaceae Black, 1971

Taxonomic rank: family

Taxonomic discussion: The taxonomic significance of conspicuous tube cycles has led to a variety of classification schemes within this family. In a study of the oldest (Early Jurassic) biscutaceans, de Kaenel & Bergen (1993) proposed considerable revision to this family, distinguishing Palaeopontosphaera(arguably a junior synonym of Biscutum) from Biscutum by the presence of a birefringent, distal inner-cycle. The type species holotype (EM) of Biscutum is a proximal view and thus the presence or absence of a tube cycle cannot be determined. Moreover, they argue that the aforementioned holotype is very nearly circular and emend the genus in such a way as to render it equivalent to Bidiscus Bukry, 1969 (?=Discorhabdus Noël, 1965) (i.e., circular to subcircular, unicyclic placoliths). The interpretation of these problematic holotype images is questionable. Here we follow Bown & Young (1997) and Bown (1998) retain the traditional usage of Biscutum, i.e. subcircular to elliptical biscutacean coccoliths which typically have a distal, inner tube cycle.

Distinguishing features:
Parent taxon (Podorhabdales): Placolith (or modified placolith) coccoliths showing little or no imbrication. Typically, V-units form distal shield, R-units form proximal shield.
This taxon: Regular placoliths; rim broad, central area relatively narrow, with variable central structures.
The distal shield is formed from V-units and the proximal shield and tube cycle are formed from R-units.

Original description: Diagnosis.—Imperforate coccoliths consisting of two shields closely moulded against each other, the rays being without imbrication in either shield.

Farinacci & Howe catalog pages: Biscutaceae + + *

Morphology:

Placoliths with two broad shields that may or may not include a distal inner-cycle (tube cycle). The relatively narrow central areas are vacant, filled with granular calcite or spanned by variably oriented bars or axial cross-bars. The distal shield is formed from V-units and the proximal shield and tube cycle are formed from R-units; the distal shield elements are joined along radial or near-radial sutures (+/- 'kinks') and show little or no imbrication. The LM image is generally dark, but bright inner-cycles are common. Coccospheres are well known and usually spherical or cylindrical.

Search data:

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 CP12 zone (100% up, 46.3Ma, in Lutetian stage). Data source: Total of ranges of the species in this database
First occurrence (base): within Jurassic Period (143.10-201.36Ma, base in Hettangian stage). Data source: Total of ranges 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
See also: customisable plot Parent: Podorhabdales

References:

Black, M. (1971a). Coccoliths of the Speeton Clay and Sutterby Marl. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society. 38: 381-424. 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 O

Bown, P. R. & Young, J. R. (1997). Mesozoic calcareous nannoplankton classification. Journal of Nannoplankton Research. 19(1): 21-36. gs

Bown, P. R. (1998a). Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. British Micropalaeontological Society Publication Series. 1-328. gs O

Bukry, D. (1969). Upper Cretaceous coccoliths from Texas and Europe. University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions, Articles. 51 (Protista 2): 1-79. gs O

de Kaenel, E. & Bergen, J. A. (1993). New Early and Middle Jurassic coccolith taxa and biostratigraphy from the eastern proto-Atlantic (Morocco, Portugal and DSDP Site 547B). Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae. 86(861-907): -. gs O

Noël, D. (1965). Sur les Coccolithes du Jurassique Européen et d'Afrique du Nord. Essai de classification des coccolithes fossiles. Éditions du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris. 1-209. gs

Biscutaceae compiled by Jeremy R. Young, Paul R. Bown, Jacqueline A. Lees viewed: 14-11-2025

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