Systematics and phylogenetic implications of the haplosclerid stromatoporoid Newellia mira nov. gen.

Wood, Rachel, Reitner, Joachim & West, Ronald R. 1989 01 15: Systematics and phylogenetic implications of the haploslerid stromatoporoid Newellia mira nov. gen. Lethaia, Vol. 22, pp. 85–93. Oslo. ISSN 0024–1164. The presence of spicules in a Palaeozoic stromatoporoid is here confirmed. Parallelopora mira Newell, 1935 from the Upper Carboniferous of the U.S.A. is redescribed as a calcified haplosclerid sponge with a primary siliceous spicule framework of isodictyally arranged styles, sub-tylostyles and strongyles and a secondary calcareous skeleton of stromatoporoid grade and probable aragonitic original mineralogy. P. mira is placed within a new genus Newellia, and family, the Newellidae. This form is postulated to have possessed large amounts of collagenous organic material which enveloped and bound the spicular framework in place. By the draping outline of the calcareous skeleton around the spicule framework and by analogy with the Recent demosponge genus Vaceletia, the calcareous skeleton is suggested to have formed by the direct mineralization of this collagenous template. Newellia mira nov. gen. is further proposed to constitute a member of a new clack of haplosclerid stromatoporoids, together with Euz-Miella erenoensis (Lower Cretaceous); a clade with some similarity to Recent non-calcified forms, e.g. Adocia. Most notably, the presence of different calcareous skeleton mineralogies and possibly microstructures in these two forms suggests the independent development of a calcareous skeleton at different times within this spicule clade. Demosponges appear to have produced calcareous skeletons independently in many different spicule clades. Calcified demosponges are now known from the Hadro-merida (Lower carboniferous; Upper Cretaceous - Recent), Axinellida (Upper Triassic - Lower Cretaceous; Upper Cretaceous; Recent), Poecilosclerida (Recent) as well as the Haplosclerida (Upper Carboniferous - Lower Cretaceous; Recent).□Upper Carboniferous, stromatoporoid, spicules, haplosclerid demosponges, calcareous skeleton biomineralization, demosponge clades, polyphyly.     

Clibeca devoniana nov. gen., nov. sp.algue calcaire nouvelle de l'Éodévonien du N.E. du Massif armoricain (France)

A new genus, Clibeca (species-type: C. devoniana nov. sp.) is created, designating a calcareous alga anatomically close to the living genus Halimeda. Segments of this alga are located in a calcareous bank belonging to a level of Lower Devonian. The sedimentology of this bank and the contemporaneous macrofauna are respectively studied and listed apart.     

New Middle Permian foraminifers (Chitralinidae) from the Karakaya Complex,in northwestern Turkey

One new foraminiferal genus, Rectoformata gen. nov., with two new species, has been described from a Permian limestone block in the Karakaya Complex in the South of the Balya district (Balikesir, northwestern Turkey). The type species of Rectoformata, Rectoformata tekini sp. nov., is characterized by a quadrangular transverse section having a calcareous microgranular wall with fine alveolar structures, whereas Rectoformata acari sp. nov. is recognized by a pentagonal transverse section having a calcareous microgranular wall with fine alveolar structures. The age of the described taxa is assigned as Midian ( = Capitanian) based on the association with small foraminifers and fusulinids. These new taxa are included in the family Chitralinidae, which is emended herein.     

A new boring bryozoan from the Middle Jurassic of the Moscow Region and its micro-CT research

A new boring ctenostome bryozoan without calcareous skeleton, Orbignyopora opulenta sp. nov. (Vesiculariida, Eurystomata), is described from deposits of the Middle Callovian of the Moscow Region. A pioneering micro-ct examination of a colony of this species reveals its diagnostic features hidden in the shell substratum: shape, size, and distinctive features in the budding of zooids and stolons, and also tubular processes (tubulets) developed on the frontal surface of autozooids. The diagnosis of the genus Orbignyopora is added by dimorphism of autozooids (A-zooids and B-zooids) and spindly kenozooids.     

A new late neogene genus of roakers (Perciformes, Sciaenidae) from the Eastern Black Sea Region

The roaker species (Sciaenidae) Sciaena impropria Gabelaia, 1976 from the Lower Pliocene (?) of Abkhazia is assigned to a new genus, Carnevalella gen. nov. This genus essentially differs from other sciaenid fishes in the greater number of supraneurals and vertebrae, the posterior shift of the dorsal fin origin, and the fusion of the fourth hypural with the terminal centrum. An incomplete roaker skeleton found in the Upper Maeotian (Upper Miocene) of the Taman Peninsula (Krasnodar Region) is assigned to the same genus. The Maeotian roaker is described as a new species, C. (?) tmutarakanica sp. nov. Morphological peculiarity of the genus Carnevalella gen. nov. justifies its allocation to a new subfamily, Carnevalellinae subfam. nov.     

Crepidolithus cantabriensis nov. sp., a new calcareous nannofossil (Prymnesiophyceae) from the Lower Jurassic of northern Spain

A new calcareous nannofossil, Crepidolithus cantabriensis nov. sp., is described from the Lower Jurassic marls and marly limestones of the Cantabrian Range (Northern Spain). The new species is characterized by medium-sized, normal to narrowly elliptical coccoliths with open central-areas. In the light microscope, under crossed nicols and in distal view, it displays a characteristic bicyclic extinction pattern. Its inner rim edge shows maximum birefringence colours, which vary from white to yellow, whereas the faintly outer rim margin exhibits low birefringence, tending to grey, and they are separated by a dark and sigmoidal isogyre. C. cantabriensis nov. sp. seems closely related to Crepidolithus crassus on the basis of shared morphological characters. Both of them have a distal shield composed of around thirty sub-vertical, dextrally imbricating laths. The central-area width of C. cantabriensis nov. sp. is approximately half of the coccolith width, whilst it is reduced to one or two tiny lenticular slits in C. crassus. Nevertheless, the phyletic relationships between C. cantabriensis nov. sp. and Crepidolithus cavus are not clear, since they show different rim structures, and C. cavus has a delicate bar aligned along the minor axis of its central area. The first specimens of C. cantabriensis nov. sp. have been recognized within the Raricostatum AZ in the Tudanca section. This species seems to be more abundant in the Reinosa area, which occupied a more distal position with respect to the Iberian Massif during the studied time interval. It is hypothesized here that C. cantabriensis nov. sp. could have inhabited the lower-photic zone.     

Influence of ecological conditions on magnesium and strontium content and ultrastructure of the calcareous skeleton ofBornetella sphaerica (Zarnadini), Dasycladales

The influence of temperature and light intensity on the ultrastructure of the calcareous skeleton of theBornetella sphaerica (Dasycladales) as well as on the incorporation of Mg and Sr into the skeleton was studied. Cells were grown in laboratory culture under various light and temperature conditions in a medium which allows them to calcify as they do in their natural habitat. The results are compared with general observations and measurements reported in the literature, especially with data on algae.     

First procolophonid (Reptilia,Parareptilia) from the Lower Triassic of Madagascar

Lasasaurus beltanae nov. gen. nov. sp., a new procolophonid (Reptilia, Parareptilia) from the Lower Triassic of Madagascar, is represented by a single partial skeleton preserved in a ferro-calcareous nodule from the Middle Sakamena Formation, in the North of the island. This new taxon is unique in possessing peculiar, fine and dendritic crests running along the posterolateral side of the squamosal, widely spaced maxillary teeth, subparallel mesiodistal ridges connecting maxillary teeth to the tooth row, and a strongly acute anterior margin of the copula (hyoid bone). This well-preserved specimen belongs to a juvenile individual. The inclusion of L. beltanae nov. gen. nov. sp. in a phylogenetic analysis suggests that it is close to Theledectinae, Procolophoninae, and Leptopleurinae, though their respective relationships are uncertain. This specimen is the first procolophonid described from Madagascar and represents a minor terrestrial component of a coastal vertebrate assemblage dominated by amphibious to fully-aquatic taxa.     

Apophyses,verticiles, and denticles in skeletons of Late Paleozoic radiolarians of the subfamily Entactiniinae

Morphostructural analysis of secondary skeletal elements, such as apophyses on the main spines and verticiles on the secondary spines of certain Late Paleozoic radiolarians of the subfamily Entactiniinae allow their taxonomic rank to be raised to genus. The presence of denticles on the secondary spines is only evidence of particular species. Three skeleton morphotypes are established: primary morphotype A, verticillate morphotype B, and apophyseal morphotype C. A new species, Entactinia mariannae sp. nov., and two new genera, Apophysiacus gen. nov. with five species, A. ichikawai (Caridroit et De Wever, 1984), A. minuta (Feng, 2007), A. praepycnoclada (Nazarov et Ormiston, 1983), A. pycnoclada (Nazarov et Ormiston, 1985), and A. sakmaraensis (Kozur et Mostler, 1989), and Verticillides gen. nov. with three species, V. nazarovi nom. nov., V. nestellae sp. nov., and V. verticillatus sp. nov., are described.     

Lower Carboniferous (middle Visean) foraminifers and algae from an interior sea,Southern Carnarvon Basin,Australia

A moderate diversity biota of foraminifers, algae and calcareous microproblematica is recorded from the Lower Carboniferous Yindagindy Formation within the intracratonic Southern Carnarvon Basin in Western Australia. Very shallow metahaline to hypersaline conditions are suggested. The palaeobotanical components are sporadic calcitarcha, tuberitinaceans, codiaceans Orthriosiphon? sp. 1, dasycladaleans? Koninckopora tenuiramosa, and algosponges Issinella devonica, Serrisinella cf. serrensis, Issinella? sp. 1, Kamaena cf. awirsi, Proninella? sp. and Stacheoides spp. The foraminiferal assemblage is dominated by a new koktjubinid taxon: Praekoktjubina yindagindyensis nov. gen., nov. sp. Subordinate associated foraminifers are more sporadic Salpingothurammina? sp. 1, Plectinopsis michelseni nov. gen., nov. sp., Rectopravina multifida nov. gen., nov. sp. (with 4 morphotypes), and scarce Endothyra spp. Despite many of these taxa being endemic, a middle Visean age is probable, based on: (1) the maximum global geographic extent of K. tenuiramosa reached during the middle Visean, (2) the disappearance of Plectinopsis nov. gen. in Palaeotethys and the Urals, and (3) the first occurrence of Praekoktjubina nov. gen. in Palaeotethys. An age no older than the middle Visean is supported by sparse conodonts from the Formation and comparison to episodes of carbonate deposition in the Bonaparte Basin, further north in the East Gondwana rift system. Absence of middle Visean archaediscoids may be due to high salinity. The following algal and foraminiferal families and superfamilies are emended: Scribroporellaceae (a lectotype is selected for Orthriosiphon saskatchewanense); Palaeospiroplectamminidae (due to the creation of Plectinopsis nov. gen.); Haplophragminoidea (due to the creation of Rectopravina nov. gen.); and Globivalvulinoidea and Koktjubinidae (due to the creation of Praekoktjubina nov. gen.).     

A new Oligocene-Miocene calcareous nannofossil species: Pontosphaera wallacei

A high-resolution study of sediments from DSDP Leg 72 Site 516 provided the opportunity to reconstruct a detailed biostratigraphy for the late Oligocene - early Miocene time interval. The detailed taxonomic investigation of calcareous nannofossils, performed by a quantitative analysis, highlighted the presence of a species of Pontosphaera that does not show the morphologic features of any recognized species of this genus. This species, which was previously classified as Pontosphaera sp., is here described as Pontosphaera wallacei nov. sp.     

End-Permian mass extinction of calcareous algae and microproblematica from Liangfengya,South China

A new assemblage of calcareous algae and microproblematica is reported from the Changxing Formation at the Liangfengya section in Chongqing, South China. This assemblage comprises eighteen species of seven genera, including three genera of gymnocodiaceaens (Gymnocodium, Permocalculus, and Tauridium), three genera of dasycladaleans (Epimastopora, Macroporella, and Mizzia), and one genus of microproblematica (Pseudovermiporella). A new algal species, Tauridium elongatum nov. sp., is described. Quantitative analysis indicates that the last occurrences of 22% of the species (4 out of 18) fall into a 52 cm thick interval of the uppermost Changhsingian. No calcareous algae are found in the Permian-Triassic boundary (P-T boundary) beds and the overlying Feixianguan Formation. Four out of 10 species have a stratigraphic abundance greater than 10% and all vanished in the uppermost Changhsingian. An abrupt extinction for calcareous algae occurred in the Clarkina yini conodont Zone.     

Discovery of the Misellina Zone (latest Kungurian) in the Lentas unit of the Pindos Series (Crete)

The origin and significance of the Lentas unit in southern Crete (Greece) is still subject to controversies. New stratigraphical and palaeontological results allow correlations with the classical Pindos-type series in Greece. In particular, new datings from reworked fossiliferous limestone pebbles within the Lentas unit are presented. These data concern especially the carbonate microfacies and carbonate microfossils from the latest Early Permian (i.e., from the late Kungurian Substage or Misellina Zone). For the first time in Greece, this period is recognized as being rich in foraminifers and calcareous algae. These fossils are described; especially, two dasycladales Likanella (?) cretae nov. sp. and Uragiellopsis bonneauii nov. sp. are established. The presence of these reworked Palaeotethyan sediments at the base of the Lentas unit suggests a derivation from the Palaeotethyan active margin (arc/fore-arc series).     

Les Rhynchonelles du Bathonien du domaineprovencal: Liaison entre l'installation des peuplements et les modalités de la transgression bathonienne dans les Alpes-Maritimes

In the Maritime Alps, the Middle and Upper Bathoniancorresponds to a transgressive episode on the Provençal platform. The advancement of the marine invasion is very noticeable between Grasse and Antibes. The sediment shows the existence of a shallow marine environment in which benthic organisms were predominant.The deposits are at first varied: marly layers withbivalves (burrowers for the most part) and calcareous layers with monospecific populations of brachiopods (Burmirhynchia mediterranea nov. sp. in a calm environment, and B. turgidaBuckman in a more turbulent environment).The deposits then become uniform and show theexistence of very shallows environments: B. decorata kiliani nov. subsp. is the only representative of macrofauna in the micritic limestones that can be attributed to the Upper Bathonian.The Rhynchonellids, as on the other Bathonian carbonateplatforms of Western Europe, seem to be the only organisms likely to stay alive and proliferate in the specific environments in which entirely carbonate sediments are deposited in shallow water. Due to their relationships to those existing in other platforms, the species described in this article permit the clarification of biostratigraphic correlations.     

NEW CALCAREOUS DINOFLAGELLATES (CALCIODINELLOIDEAE) FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA1

Investigations on calcareous dinoflagellates from surface sediments from the Mediterranean Sea revealed 14 species, including one new genus and four previously undescribed species: Calciodinellum levantinum sp. nov., Calciodinellum elongatum nov. comb., Lebessphaera urania gen. nov. et sp. nov., and Scripp‐ siella triquetracapitata sp. nov. Furthermore, Fuettererella cf. tesserula, so far only known from the fossil record, was found. The cyst–theca relationships of C. levantinum and C. elongatum are given, based on strains established from water samples of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. This study gives an insight into the importance of the modern Mediterranean Sea as an unique region concerning calcareous cyst producing dinoflagellates.     

A new basal ornithopod dinosaur from the Barremian of Galve,Spain

A partially articulated postcranial skeleton of a small ornithischian dinosaur, Gideonmantellia amosanjuanae nov. gen. et sp., from the Early Cretaceous of Galve (Teruel province, Spain) is described. It was recovered in an outcrop of fluvial red clays from the Camarillas Formation, which is Barremian in age. This partial skeleton is recognised as a new ornithopod taxon by the following autapomorphies: (1) postacetabular process of the ilium with a brevis shelf that is noticeably medially expanded in its cranial part but narrow and horizontal in its caudal part; (2) rod-like prepubic process with its anterior end twisted and expanded; and (3) L-shaped first chevron. Our phylogenetic analysis indicates that Gideonmantellia represents a basal ornithopod taxon more derived than Orodromeus, the “Asian clade” (which includes Haya and others) and Hypsilophodon.     

a new ichnogenus for etchings made by cheilostome bryozoans into calcareous substrates

Some encrusting cheilostome bryozoans etch a pattern of small pits into hard calcareous substrates, especially calcitic and aragonitic shells of molluscs. These patterns, herein described as Leptichnus ichnogen. nov., comprise pits which are sub-circular to elongate in cross section and are found in either uniserial ( L. dromeus isp. nov.) or multiserial arrangements ( L. peristroma isp. nov., the type species). Each pit corresponds to the location of a single zooid in the bryozoan colony. The oldest known Leptichnus is Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian), the trace fossil first becomes common in the Cenozoic, and at least nine modern cheilostome genera produce incipient Leptichnus. Leptichnus can be the only evidence remaining of encrusting cheilostomes following taphonomic or diagenetic loss of their calcareous skeletons. The mechanism by which bryozoans etch into their calcareous substrates is unknown but is almost certain to be chemical and necessitates having windows in the basal walls of the zooids which permit contact with the substratum beneath. Etching may result in better adherence to the substrate, giving protection from abrasion and bioerosion.