Contribution
Architecture, ontogenetic development and biogeographic distribution of Cribroelphidium mirum, a new species of benthic foraminifera from South Africa and Namibia (S-Atlantic Ocean)
Langer, Martin R.; Schmidt-Sinns, Julia
Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Monatshefte Jg. 2006 Heft 11 (2006), p. 667 - 682
39 références bibliographiques
publié: Nov 30, 2006
DOI: 10.1127/njgpm/2006/2006/667
ArtNo. ESP157200611002, Prix: 19.00 €
Abstract
A complete series of ontogenetic growth stages is documented for Cribroelphidium mirum, a new species of benthic foraminifera from Recent shallowwater sediments in the upwelling area off South-West Africa and Namibia (S-Atlantic Ocean). The species superficially resembles previously described taxa, but close examination of successive growth stages and of internal and external test features justify the description of a new species. Cribroelphidium mirum n. sp. belongs to a controversially discussed plexus of elphidiid taxa that some workers previously considered to represent a single species with representatives in all mid to low latitudinal areas of all oceans. Comparative morphological analysis and a systematic reevaluation of associated taxa shows the new species to be characterized by unique features and to be distinct from previously described taxa. The systematic reassessment of the associated species plexus requires a reconsideration of the biogeographic distribution of this taxon and suggests that Cribroelphidium mirum is possibly endemic to the SE-Atlantic in the area between Namibia and South Africa.
Mots-clefs
Foraminifera • ontogeny • biogeography • S-Atlantic • upwelling