Turriseiffelus invalidissimus, Dumitrica & Zügel, 2003

Dumitrica, Paulian & Zügel, Peter, 2003, Lower Tithonian mono- and dicyrtid Nassellaria (Radiolaria) from the Solnhofen area (southern Germany), Geodiversitas 25 (1), pp. 5-72 : 19-20

Turriseiffelus invalidissimus n. sp. ( Fig. 11 )

HOLOTYPE. — Photo No. 58105; stub Mue 22/20; Musée de Géologie, Lausanne, No. 74377 ( Fig. 11A ). ETYMOLOGY. — From the Latin invalidissimus : the most invalid, the most infirm, since by comparison to Turriseiffelus invalidus n. gen., n. sp. it is lacking the fragile apical horn in most specimens.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 11 specimens from the type horizon (sample Mue 22).

DIMENSIONS ( IN µM). — Length without apical horn 120-175 (av. 155), of cephalis 50-70 (av. 60), of feet 80- 120 (av. 105), of apical horn 27-60 (av. 42), total width 110-170 (av. 140), width of cephalis 70-85 (av. 75).

DESCRIPTION

Test composed of a hemispherical cephalis and two feet. Initial skeleton with arches AL, AD, DL, and LV. Apical spine prolonged externally into a three-bladed horn with one, exceptionally two,

rows of tetragonal meshes. Ventral spine, at least in one specimen, with a verticil of four branches at the level of the cephalic wall of which two form the arches LV and two tend to connect the arches AL. Cephalis with large meshes closed by small bars arranged in rosettes. Central rod of the feet straight, accompanied by three slightly curved bars. Bars and central rod connected by lateral branches of the rods, partly continuous beyond the bars to form a pectinate structure. Distally the bars around the central rod of each foot tend to come closer to the rod and finally join it forming size-decreasing meshes. Thoracic skirt composed of a coarse net-like or rosette-like meshwork.

REMARKS

The species is compared to T. invalidus n. gen., n. sp., see under the latter species.

Figures

FIG. 11. — Turriseiffelus invalidissimus n. gen., n. sp.; A, holotype showing the well preserved apical horn; B-F, paratypes; B, specimen with partly preserved apical horn; C, specimen with apical horn corroded; D, same, detail of one foot; E, specimen with apical horn corroded; F, basal view of the initial spicule and arches. Scale bars: A-C, E, 30 µm; D, F, 10 µm.