Set number: 950

  • Sphenolithus furcatolithoides 25812 1
  • Sphenolithus furcatolithoides 25803 2
  • Sphenolithus furcatolithoides 25815 3
  • Sphenolithus furcatolithoides 25817 4
  • Sphenolithus furcatolithoides 25813 5
  • Sphenolithus furcatolithoides 25802 6
  • Sphenolithus furcatolithoides 25821 7
  • Sphenolithus furcatolithoides 25820 8
  • Sphenolithus furcatolithoides 25805 9
  • Sphenolithus furcatolithoides 25806 10
  • Sphenolithus furcatolithoides 25811 11
  • Sphenolithus furcatolithoides 25810 12
    10µm
Symmetrikiexafanisi furcatolithoides, Middle Eocene, IODP Leg 171, Site 1051A, Black Nose, Western North Atlantic
Final Epithet
Symmetrikiexafanisi furcatolithoides (Locker, 1967) Varol, 2025
Basionym

Sphenolithus furcatolithoides Locker, 1967

Synonyms

1967 Sphenolithus furcatolithoides Locker, p. 363, Pl. 1, Figs. 14-16; Text-figs. 7-8

Sphenolithus furcatolithoides labradorensis Firth,1989

Sphenolithus cuniculus Bown, 2005d

2014 Sphenolithus furcatolithoides Locker, 1967 morphotype A - Agnini et al. in Cappelli et al., pl. 3, figs 2, 3.

2014 Sphenolithus furcatolithoides Locker, 1967 morphotype B - Agnini et al. in Cappelli et al., pl. 3, figs 11, 12.

2021 Sphenolithus shamrockiae Howe, p. 53, Pl.2, Figs. 1-4

Description

Optical Properties: The diverging apical spines and the segments of the proximal cycle exhibit symmetrical extinctions. The lateral cycle displays parallel extinction and length-fast (-) elongation. Under XPL, when the specimen is oriented at 45°, the lateral cycle, supplementary segment, and a segment of the proximal cycle (observed from its length) create a cross in well-preserved specimens.

Remarks

Large species of Symmetrikiexafanisi (often greater than 7.0 μm) exhibit a moderately high proximal cycle, a fragile lateral cycle, and diverging twin apical spines after varying heights of an initially joined section. A short supplementary segment between the apical spines is visible only when the specimen length is 45° under XPL in well-preserved specimens.

Symmetrikiexafanisi furcatolithoides is distinguished from Symmetrikiexafanisi magnifica and Symmetrikiexafanisi cubaensis by diverging apical spines after varying heights of an initially joined section.

References

Bown, P. R. 2005d. Palaeogene calcareous nannofossils from the Kilwa and Lindi areas of coastal Tanzania (Tanzania Drilling Project 2003-4). Journal of Nannoplankton Research 27(1): 21-95.

Bukry, D., 1971b. Cenozoic calcareous nannofossils from the Pacific Ocean. - San Diego Society of Natural History Transactions 16, 303-327.

Firth, J. V., 1989. Eocene and Oligocene calcareous nannofossils from the Labrador Sea, ODP Leg 105. Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results 105, 263-286.

Locker, S., 1967. Neue Coccolithophoriden (Flagellata) aus dem Alttertiär Norddeutschlands. Geologie, Berlin 16, 361-364.

Varol, O. 2025. A practical guide to optical studies of calcareous nannofossils. Grzybowski Foundation Special Publication, 29, 230 pp.