Tetrapaurinella sphaerica Tekin, n. sp. (Fig. 8 P-V)

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: C4E6F19D-A746-43DA-9A55-5480C9F33969

HOLOTYPE. — Sample Orbuk-32, HU.JMB.0127 (Fig. 8P).

PARATYPES. — HU.JMB.0128 (Fig. 8Q), HU.JMB.0129 (Fig. 8R), HU.JMB.0130 (Fig. 8S), HU.JMB.0131 (Fig. 8T), HU.JMB.0132 (Fig. 8U), HU.JMB.0133 (Fig. 8V).

TYPE LOCALITY. — Orbuklukeli section, Mersin Mélange, NW of Mersin city, southern Turkey.

ETYMOLOGY. — Due its sphaerical cortical shell.

OCCURRENCE. — Lower Jurassic, upper Hettangian-lower Sinemurian of Orbuklukeli section, Mersin Mélange, NW of Mersin city, southern Turkey.

DIMENSIONS (based on seven specimens, in µm).- Maximum diameter of test: 100-140 (holotype: 138, average: 123.3); Length of the longest spine: 80-100 (holotype: 100, average: 93).

DESCRIPTION

Shell flat to slightly inflated, spongy consisting of several layers around the micropshaere and four primary spines at right angles situated in one plane or, sometimes, slightly inclined (Fig. 8P). Surface of the shell with numerous pores of different size. Primary spines needle-like, subcircular in transverse section, slightly gradually tapering, and pointed.

REMARKS

This species differs from the Triassic species Tetrapaurinella latispinosa Kozur & Mostler (1994: 77, pl. 16, fig. 9; pl. 17, figs 4, 6) by possessing a much smaller shell by comparison with primary spines and slightly larger pores.