Globorotaloides quadrocameratus is a distinctly lobate species of Globorotaloides. It intergrades with Globorotaloides suteri (Pl. 4.7, Figs. 5-8), to which it gave rise in the middle Eocene (see Catapsydrax unicavus and Globorotaloides suteri entries for history of synonymy). Globorotaloides quadrocameratus lacks a bulla. It is less common in the Oligocene than the Eocene. The relationship of Blow and Banner’s (1962) taxon Globorotalia (Turborotalia) permicra, here shown as a questionable prior synonym of G. quadrocameratus, is discussed in Pearson and Wade (2015), who conclude it is likely a juvenile and discourage its use. [Coxall & Spezzaferri 2018]
Catalog entries: Globorotaloides quadrocameratus
Type images:Distinguishing features:
Parent taxon (Globorotaloides): Trochospiral test, ovate to spherical chambers; final chamber often small/bulla-like; cancellate wall.
This taxon: Test, small, lobulate test, 4-4½ chambers in final whorl, final chamber directed umbilically. Sacculifer-type wall texture.
Globorotaloides quadrocameratus is characterized by its small, distinctly lobulate test, 4 chambers in the ultimate whorl, the umbilically directed ultimate chamber and rapidly enlarging final whorl chambers. It differs from Parasubbotina varianta and Paragloborotalia griffinoides by the smaller size, more coarsely cancellate test, more open coiling and flattened spiral side. It differs from Globorotaloides suteri in the more open coiling and more rapidly enlarging chambers and from Catapsydrax unicavus in the greater number of final whorl chambers and umbilical-extraumbilical position of the aperture and lack of a bulla. Globorotalia (Turborotalia) permicra Blow and Banner is a juvenile form that is probably conspecific with quadrocameratus (see Pearson and Wade, 2015, for discussion). [Coxall & Spezzaferri 2018]
Diagnostic characters:
Morphology:
Wall type:
Character matrix
| test outline: | Lobate | chamber arrangement: | Trochospiral | edge view: | Equally biconvex | aperture: | Umbilical-extraumbilical |
| sp chamber shape: | Globular | coiling axis: | Low | periphery: | N/A | aperture border: | Thin lip |
| umb chbr shape: | Globular | umbilicus: | Narrow | periph margin shape: | Broadly rounded | accessory apertures: | N/A |
| spiral sutures: | Weakly depressed | umb depth: | Shallow | wall texture: | Cancellate | shell porosity: | Macroperforate: >2.5µm |
| umbilical or test sutures: | Moderately depressed | final-whorl chambers: | 4-4.5 | N.B. These characters are used for advanced search. N/A - not applicable | |||
Globorotaloides quadrocameratus is closely allied to G. eovariabilis, with which it commonly occurs. The smooth/flattened inner whorl as seen in spiral view, is common to both taxa. Globorotaloides quadrocameratus gave rise to Globorotaloides eovariabilis. [Coxall & Spezzaferri 2018]
Geographic distribution
Isotope paleobiology
Phylogenetic relations
Most likely ancestor:
Parasubbotina varianta - at confidence level 1 (out of 5). Data source: Olsson et al. 2006. p83 (tentative suggestion)..
Likely descendants: Catapsydrax unicavus; Globorotaloides eovariabilis; Globorotaloides suteri;
plot with descendants
Geological Range:
Notes: Lower Eocene Zone E2 (Olsson and others, 2006a) to lower Miocene Zone M1 (upper range constrained in this study, see figured specimens and their horizons, pl. 4.7). [Coxall & Spezzaferri 2018]
Last occurrence (top): within M1 zone (21.12-22.96Ma, top in Aquitanian stage). Data source: Coxall & Spezzaferri 2018
First occurrence (base): within E2 zone (55.20-55.81Ma, base in Ypresian stage). Data source: Olsson et al. 2006
Plot of occurrence data:
Primary source for this page: Coxall & Spezzaferri 2018 - Olig Atlas chap.4 p.101; Olsson et al. 2006 - Eocene Atlas, chap. 5, p. 83
Blow, W. H. & Banner, F. T. (1962). The mid-Tertiary (Upper Eocene to Aquitanian) Globigerinaceae. In, Eames, F. E., Banner, F. T., Blow, W. H. & Clarke, W. J. (eds) Fundamentals of mid-Tertiary Stratigraphical Correlation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 61-151. gs Bolli, H. M. (1957b). Planktonic foraminifera from the Oligocene-Miocene Cipero and Lengua formations of Trinidad, B.W.I. 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: 97-123. gs Coxall, H. K. & Spezzaferri, S. (2018). Taxonomy, biostratigraphy, and phylogeny of Oligocene Catapsydrax, Globorotaloides, and Protentelloides. In, Wade, B. S., Olsson, R. K., Pearson, P. N., Huber, B. T. & Berggren, W. A. (eds) Atlas of Oligocene Planktonic Foraminifera. Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research, Special Publication . 46(Chap 4): 79-124. gs McKeel, D. R. & Lipps, J. H. (1972). Calcareous plankton from the Tertiary of Oregon. Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology. 12(1-2): 75-93. 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 Olsson, R. K., Pearson, P. N. & Huber, B. T. (2006c). Taxonomy, biostratigraphy, and phylogeny of Eocene Catapsydrax, Globorotaloides, Guembelitrioides, Paragloborotalia, Parasubbotina, and Pseudoglobigerinella n. gen. In, Pearson, P. N., Olsson, R. K., Hemleben, C., Huber, B. T. & Berggren, W. A. (eds) Atlas of Eocene Planktonic Foraminifera. Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research, Special Publication . 41(Chap 5): 67-110. gs O Pearson, P. N. & Wade, B. S. (2015). Systematic taxonomy of exceptionally well-preserved planktonic foraminifera from the Eocene/Oligocene boundary of Tanzania. Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research, Special Publication. 45: 1-85. gs Poore, R. Z. & Brabb, E. E. (1977). Eocene and Oligocene planktonic foraminifera from the Upper Butano sandstone and type San Lorenzo formation, Santa Cruz Mountains, California. Journal of Foraminiferal Research. 7(4): 249-272. gs Subbotina, N. N. (1953). Foraminiferes fossiles d'URSS Globigerinidae, Globorotaliidae, Hantkeninidae. Bureau de Recherches Geologiques et Minieres. 2239: 1-144. gs Wade, B. S., Aljahdali, M. H., Mufrreh, Y. A., Memesh, A. M., AlSoubhi, S. A. & Zalmout, I. S. (2021). Upper Eocene planktonic foraminifera from northern Saudi Arabia: implications for stratigraphic ranges. Journal of Micropalaeontology. 40: 145-161. gs OReferences:

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Globorotaloides quadrocameratus compiled by the pforams@mikrotax project team viewed: 13-12-2025
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