Taxonomic discussion: A distinct species found abundantly in the plankton and in sediments, but recorded rarely because of its small size (Brummer, 1988b). When recognized, the species concept is mostly applied consistently (Saito et al., 1981). Holotype from recent sediments represents the typical morphology with reniform chambers. [Brummer & Kucera 2022]
Distinguishing features: Parent taxon (Dentigloborotalia): Smooth wall, with shark-tooth like pustules; kidney-shaped chambers: This taxon: monospecific
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.
Description
Diagnostic characters: Coiling direction (in extant population): mixed Morphology: Test small, very low trochospiral, spiral side almost flat, lobulate in equatorial profile; axial profile rounded, the final cham- ber somewhat compressed; chambers inflated four to five in the final whorl, increasing slowly as added; sutures on spiral side and umbilical side radial and depressed; surface smooth, translucent, covered with fine pustules. Aperture a low arch with a broad lip. [Kennett & Srinivasan 1983] Size: <150µm
Character matrix
test outline:
Lobate
chamber arrangement:
Trochospiral
edge view:
Inequally biconvex
aperture:
Umbilical-extraumbilical
sp chamber shape:
Globular
coiling axis:
Low
periphery:
N/A
aperture border:
Thick lip
umb chbr shape:
Globular
umbilicus:
Narrow
periph margin shape:
Moderately rounded
accessory apertures:
None
spiral sutures:
Moderately depressed
umb depth:
Shallow
wall texture:
Smooth
shell porosity:
Finely Perforate: 1-2.5µm
umbilical or test sutures:
Moderately depressed
final-whorl chambers:
4-5
N.B. These characters are used for advanced search. N/A - not applicable
Phylogenetic relationsGr. (Te.) anfracta is distinguished from Gr. ( Te. ) clemenciae by its thin, almost translucent test, flat spiral side, and rather compressed final chamber in peripheral view. Gr. (Te.) anfracta is the modern representative of the Tenuitella lineage and seems to have developed from Gr. (Te.) clemenciae in the Late Miocene. [Kennett & Srinivasan 1983]
Most likely ancestor: Tenuitella clemenciae - at confidence level 3 (out of 5). Data source: Kennett & Srinivasan 1983, fig 18.
Biostratigraphic distribution
Geological Range: Last occurrence (top): Extant. Data source: present in the plankton (SCOR WG138) First occurrence (base): within N18 zone (5.20-5.72Ma, base in Messinian stage). Data source: Kennett & Srinivasan 1983
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.
Grey shading between taxa indicates intergrading species within an anagenetic lineage (data from
Lamyman et al. 2026).
Histogram - Neptune occurrence data from DSDP and ODP proceedings. Pale shading <50 samples in time bin. Interpret with caution & read these notes
Primary source for this page: Kennett & Srinivasan 1983, p.164
References:
Brummer, G-J. A. & Kucera, M. (2022). Taxonomic review of living planktonic foraminifera. Journal of Micropalaeontology. 41: 29-74. gs
Kennett, J. P. & Srinivasan, M. S. (1983). Neogene Planktonic Foraminifera. Hutchinson Ross Publishing Co., Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. 1-265. gs
Meilland, J., Cornuault, P., Morard, Raphaël, Brummer, Geert-J. A. & Kucera, M. (2022). Identification guide to extant planktonic foraminifera. Part 1: Family Candeinidae and genera Berggrenia, Bolivina, Dentigloborotalia, and Neogallitellia. ICES Identification Leaflets for Plankton. 196: 1-22. gs
Parker, F. L. (1967). Late Tertiary biostratigraphy (planktonic foraminifera) of tropical Indo-Pacific deep-sea cores. Bulletins of American Paleontology. 52(235): 115203-. gs
Saito, T., Thompson, P. R. & Breger, D. (1981). Systematic Index of Recent and Pleistocene Planktonic Foraminifera. University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo. 1-190. gs
Siccha, M. & Kucera, M. (2017). ForCenS, a curated database of planktonic foraminifera census counts in marine surface sediment samples. Scientific Data. 4(1): 1-12. gs
Dentigloborotalia anfracta compiled by the pforams@mikrotax project teamviewed: 13-8-2026