Nannotax3 - ntax_cenozoic

Nannotax3 - ntax_cenozoic - Ericiolus Nannotax3 - ntax_cenozoic - Ericiolus

Ericiolus

Classification: ntax_cenozoic -> Nannolith families inc sed -> Ericiolacaea -> Ericiolus
Sister taxa: Ericiolus, Pileolosphaera

Thje speices are aranged here in three groups of increasing morphological complexity (time control age-window is: 0-800Ma)
				three simple rays, no central spine (formerly Mercedisia)
				Ericiolus aspiphorus Nannoliths sub-triangular, with slightly concave sides; distal side with sutural ribs and central nodule, ca 0.5µm across
				Ericiolus multistellatus Nannoliths Y-shaped, rays tapering, ca 0.5µm across
				Ericiolus pusillus Nannoliths like M multistellata but smaller (<0.3µm) and with central pore
				three simple rays and central spine
				Ericiolus frigidus All four spikes of tetrad of similar length (0.2-0.3 µm) and angles between all four are equal.
				Ericiolus spiculiger Tetrads consists of three almost coplanar spikes, 0.1-0.2 µm long, forming proximal surface and one longer (0.3-0.4 µm) distally directed spike. Underlain by oval organic baseplate with concentric striations.
				three bifurcate rays and central process
				Ericiolus bendifii rays bifurcate for most of length, process is spine with terminal knob
				Ericiolus mattioliae rays only bifurcate at tips, process formed of laths rising from rays
				Ericiolus sheldoniae rays bifurcate for most of length, process formed of laths rising from rays
				Ericiolus sp. Specimens which cannot be assigned to established species

Archontikis et al 2023 f07.png

Taxonomy:

Citation: Ericiolus Thomsen in Thomsen et al., 1995

taxonomic rank: genus

Type species: Ericiolus spiculiger Thomsen in Thomsen et al., 1995

Synonyms:

Mercedesia [according to Archontikis et al. 2023]

Taxonomic discussion: Archontikis et al. (2023) described three new species from low latitude sub-surface waters. They also recombined the species previously placed in Mercedesia into Ericiolus. This leaves the genus as a coherent group of very small triradiate nannoliths, with or without a central process. Three groups of species can, however, be recognised within the genus corresponding to (1) the previously described Ericiolus species, (2) the species previousl placed in Mercedesia and (3) the new low-latitude species.
Etymology: Ericiolus means “little hedgehog”.

Distinguishing features:
Parent taxon (Ericiolacaea):
This taxon: Nannoliths, miniscule (<1 µm), formed of 3 nearly co-planar rays, often with a distal process. Cells monomorphic, often saddle-shaped, with long flagella and haptonema.

Farinacci & Howe catalog pages: Ericiolus + * , Mercedesia *

Morphology:

Liths show some similarity to the more skeletal Polycrater species.

Size:

Cells 3-4 µm across

Ecology & Biogeography

Occurs in the surface waters at high latitudes and in mid to deep photic zone at low latitudes. Rare.

Biology & life-cycles

No data available

Phylogenetic relations

Archontikis etal. iscuss possible relations to [h[Pileolosphaera[eh] and Discoaster.

Search data:

LITHS: nannolith-radiate, star-shaped, triangular, CA: process,
CSPH: equant, monomorphic,

Lith size: 0.2->1.2µm; Segments: 3->3; Coccosphere size: 2->6µm; Liths per sphere: 30->80

The morphological data given here can be used on the advanced search page. See also these notes

Geological Range:
Last occurrence (top): Extant. Data source: Total of ranges of the species in this database
First occurrence (base): within No known fossil record modern (0.00-0.00Ma, base in "Holocene" 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
Neptune data: This is a higher taxon page so Neptune data is not plotted. See also: customisable plot Parent: Ericiolacaea

References:

Archontikis, O. A., Millán, J. G., Winter, A. & Young, J. R. (2023a). Taxonomic re-evaluation of Ericiolus and Mercedesia (Prymnesiophyceae) and description of three new species. Phycologia. 62(2): 179-193. gs

Thomsen, H. A., De Place Bjorn, B., Højlund, L., Olesen, J. & Pedersen, J. B. (1995). Ericiolus, gen. nov. (Prymnesiophyceae), a new coccolithophorid genus from polar and temperate waters. European Journal of Phycology. 30(29-34): -. gs