NB This site is under active development, current content in the main database is primarily from Bolli et al 1994, Hayward et al. 2012, Holbourn et al. 2013, Holbourn and Kaminski 1997, Alegret & Thomas 2001, and Katz et al. 2003. It is intended to expand and develop this to provide rather comprehensive coverage of Mesozoic and Cenozoic deep-sea benthic foraminifera.
Daughter taxa (time control age-window is: 0-800Ma)
Ammodiscus cretaceus Test relatively large, planispiral, circular or slightly eliptical in outline. Microsphaeric individuals may have up to 11 whorls, and megalosphaeric specimens have about 8 whorls. Coiling is evolute, and the test has a distinct coil suture. The final 3 or 4 whorls are disproportionately broader than preceeding whorls. The test surface typically has fine radial striations. The test wall is finely agglutinated, with a smooth surface [Kaminski & Gradstein, 2005].
Ammodiscus latus Ammodiscus latus differs from other Late Eocene ammodiscids in its large size, coarse wall and tendency to uncoil. [Kaminski & Gradstein (2005)]
Ammodiscus pennyi This species is similar to Ammodiscus latus in size and thickness of the wall, but differs in having a coiled chamber which increases in size somewhat more rapidly, and in lacking a depressed umbilicus as well as the tendency to uncoil.[Kaminski & Gradstein (2005)]
NB These concise distinguishing features statements are used in the tables of daughter-taxa to act as quick summaries of the differences between e.g. species of one genus. They are being edited as the site is developed and comments on them are especially welcome.
The morphological data given here can be used on the advanced search page. See also these notes
Biogeography and Palaeobiology
Biostratigraphic distribution
Geological Range: Last occurrence (top): Extant. Data source: Total of range of species in this database First occurrence (base): within Cretaceous Period (66.04-143.10Ma, base in Berriasian stage). Data source: Total of range of species in this database
Plot of occurrence data: NB The ranges given for genera and higher taxa are the total ranges of species included in that taxon in this database - so the true total range of the taxon will usually be longer
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
 tenuis/Brady 1884 pl. 38 figs. 4-6.jpg)
