Qiuripylolena, Zhang & Suzuki, 2017

Zhang, Lanlan & Suzuki, Noritoshi, 2017, Taxonomy and species diversity of Holocene pylonioid radiolarians from surface sediments of the northeastern Indian Ocean, Palaeontologia Electronica (Cambridge, England: 2003) 7 (8), pp. 1-68 : 52

Genus QIURIPYLOLENA n. gen.

zoobank.org/ B2E344A6-1D9B-4EF5-9F48-80974787902B

Type species. Qiuripylolena pompon n. sp.

Etymology. The Latinized female noun, derived from a Chinese word “qiu”, meaning a ball and the member of the Pyloniidae .

Description. Test consists of a larnacillid central combination, and one or more pseudo-concentric shell/s. The central combination comprises an S1a (microsphere) and G2 girdles/cupolas on the Ltsides of the S1a. The shape of the pseudo-concentric shell appears variable with spherical, rounded quadrangular, elliptical, rounded triangular, and rounded pentagonal shapes at different orientations. In the pseudo-concentric shell, two girdles, and two apertures are visible from the Pl-view of the central combination, and an empty space with a rod is observable in the Sg-view in Type 1 coordinates. Pseudo-concentric shells outside the 1st pseudo-concentric shell are spherical to elliptical in shape and have two gates in juvenile forms. These gates close with normal latticed structures in more mature forms. Incompletely developed shells consist of twin latticed bands positioned on opposite sides of the test. Each pseudo-concentric shell is connected to the others by numerous pillar beams. Radial spines, if present, come from pillar beams beneath the outermost shell.

Remarks. The genus Qiuripylolena n. gen. is characterized by a larnacillid central combination, a larnacillid 1st pseudo-concentric shell, and a completely latticed cortical shell. Qiuripylolena n. gen. is similar to spherical species of Tholomura Haeckel, 1887 (type species: Tholoma [ Tholomura ] metallasson Haeckel, 1887 ), but the former is different from the latter in that it has sutures between its cupolas/girdles. Qiuripylolena n. gen. is distinguishable from Sphaerolarnacillium n. gen. and Sphaeropylolena n. gen. based on the former’s absence of a spiraled outer skeleton. Qiuripylolena n. gen. is easily distinguished from spherical species of Larcopyle Dreyer, 1899 , in that the latter has spiral girdles.