Taxonomic discussion: Bolli (1957a) erected this species for Paleocene morphotypes that had been referred to Ehrenberg's species. The basis for distinguishing this species from G. compressa is the pinched periphery and the thickened imperforate margin, which is more strongly developed than in G. compressa. Although Blow (1979) separated G. ehrenbergi from G. haunsbergensis, we include morphotypes with a more sharply acute periphery within the range of variation of G. ehrenbergi. Blow (1979) drew attention to the more lax coiling of G. haunsbergensis morphotypes, which results in a wide, shallow umbilicus. The trend towards a more strongly developed imperforate margin was recognized by Bolli and Blow as a trend towards a true keel, which resulted in the evolution of G. pseudomenardii. Globanomalinachapmani is also allied to G. ehrenbergi in having a pinched periphery and a thickened imperforate margin. As in G. pseudomenardii, the rate of chamber-size increase is greater than in G. ehrenbergi. [Olsson et al. 1999]
Distinguishing features: Parent taxon (Globanomalina): Very low trochospiral; 5-6 chambers in final whorl; chamber-shape variable. Aperture interiomarginal, umbilical-extraumbilical, arch with narrow lip. Wall smooth, normally perforate, pustules in some species. This taxon: Test compressed, smooth-walled, chambers moderately increasing in size. Periphery pinched with a thickened imperforate margin (faint keel). 5-5½ chambers in final whorl.
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: Compressed, smooth-walled test, with chambers moderately increasing in size, often with the ultimate chamber smaller than the penultimate one, pinched periphery that has a thickened imperforate margin (faint keel of Bolli), 5-5½ chambers in the ultimate whorl. [Olsson et al. 1999]
Character matrix
test outline:
Lobate
chamber arrangement:
Trochospiral
edge view:
Compressed
aperture:
Umbilical-extraumbilical
sp chamber shape:
Petaloid
coiling axis:
Low
periphery:
Single keel
aperture border:
Thin lip
umb chbr shape:
Petaloid
umbilicus:
Narrow
periph margin shape:
Subangular
accessory apertures:
None
spiral sutures:
Strongly depressed
umb depth:
Shallow
wall texture:
Smooth
shell porosity:
Finely Perforate: 1-2.5µm
umbilical or test sutures:
Moderately depressed
final-whorl chambers:
5-5.5
N.B. These characters are used for advanced search. N/A - not applicable
Biogeography and Palaeobiology
Geographic distributionApparently a worldwide distribution in the low to middle latitudes. [Olsson et al. 1999]
Aze et al. 2011 summary: Cosmopolitan in low to middle latitudes; based on Olsson et al. (1999) Isotope paleobiologyGlobanomalinaehrenbergi has δ18O and δ13C similar to Parasubbotinavarianta, S. triloculinoides, and G. compressa. The species has distinctly more positive δ18O and more negative δ13C than Morozovella and Igorina. [Olsson et al. 1999] Aze et al. 2011 ecogroup 3 - Open ocean thermocline. Phylogenetic relationsAs pointed out by Bolli (1957a) and Blow (1979), this species is transitional to G. pseudomenardii. It evolved from G. compressa by developing a more highly developed imperforate margin and a more sharply angular axial margin. [Olsson et al. 1999]
Geological Range: Notes: Zone P2 to Zone P4. [Olsson et al. 1999] Last occurrence (top): at top of P3 zone (100% up, 60.7Ma, in Selandian stage). Data source: Olsson et al. 1999, fig 5a First occurrence (base): in mid part of P2 zone (50% up, 62.4Ma, in Danian stage). Data source: Olsson et al. 1999, fig 5a
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
Histogram - Neptune occurrence data from DSDP and ODP proceedings. Pale shading <50 samples in time bin. Interpret with caution & read these notes
Taxon plotted: Globanomalina ehrenbergi, synonyms included - Globanomalina ehrenbergi;
Primary source for this page: Olsson et al. 1999 - Atlas of Paleocene Planktonic Foraminifera, p. 42
References:
Blow, W. H. (1979). The Cainozoic Globigerinida: A study of the morphology, taxonomy, evolutionary relationships and stratigraphical distribution of some Globigerinida (mainly Globigerinacea). E. J. Brill, Leiden. 2: 1-1413. gs
Bolli, H. M. (1957d). The genera Globigerina and Globorotalia in the Paleocene-Lower Eocene Lizard Springs Formation of Trinidad. In, Loeblich, A. R. , Jr., Tappan, H., Beckmann, J. P., Bolli, H. M., Montanaro Gallitelli, E. & Troelsen, J. C. (eds) Studies in Foraminifera. U.S. National Museum Bulletin . 215: 61-82. gs
Cushman, J. A. & Bermudez, P. J. (1949). Some Cuban species of Globorotalia. Contributions from the Cushman Laboratory for Foraminiferal Research. 25: 26-45. gsO
Gohrbandt, K. (1963). Zur Gliederung des Palaeogen im Helvetikum nordlich Salzburg nach planktonischen Foraminiferen. Mitteilungen der Geologischen Gesellschaft in Wien. 56(1): 63-. gs
Olsson, R. K., Hemleben, C., Berggren, W. A. & Huber, B. T. (1999). Atlas of Paleocene Planktonic Foraminifera. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. (85): 1-252. gs
Postuma, J. A. (1971). Manual of planktonic foraminifera. Elsevier for Shell Group, The Hague. 1-406. gs
Globanomalina ehrenbergi compiled by the pforams@mikrotax project teamviewed: 9-2-2026
Olsson_etal_99_pl35_f14-16.jpg
Postuma 1971 p189-4.JPG
Postuma 1971 p189-7.JPG
Olsson_etal_99_pl35_f14-16.jpg
Postuma 1971 p189-4.JPG
Postuma 1971 p189-7.JPG
holotype: G. ehrenbergi
holotype: G. ehrenbergi
