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- Modern Dinocyst Key
- transparent cysts
- randomly distributed processes
- transparant cyst with solid processes
- Operculodinium aguinawense
Operculodinium aguinawense
Zonneveld, K.A.F. and Pospelova V. (2015). A determination key for modern dinoflagellate cysts. Palynology 39 (3), 387- 407.
Field characteristics
Operculodinium aguinawense Marret and Kim 2009
Field characteristics:
Chorate cyst with fibroreticulate surface. Processes are about 1/3th of the cyst innerbody diameter. Processes are solid, fibrous with a conical basis and multifurcate distal tips. Archeopyle is precingular (Type P).
Dimensions: Cyst body diameter: 37 to 69 µm; length of processes: 8 to 16.7 µm.
Motile affinity: unknown
Stratigraphic range: ?Late Pleistocene to Recent.
Comparison with other species:
This species resembles very much Operculodinium israelianum in having a fibroreticulate cyst wall and processes that have a tapering base that are fibrous (showing striae with light microscopy). The only difference is that O. aguinawense has solid processes. However, the holotype and all other specimens depicted in Marret and Kim 2009 (the paper in which the species is described) clearly have hollow processes. It is therefore questionable if this is really a different species.
Field characteristics:
Chorate cyst with fibroreticulate surface. Processes are about 1/3th of the cyst innerbody diameter. Processes are solid, fibrous with a conical basis and multifurcate distal tips. Archeopyle is precingular (Type P).
Dimensions: Cyst body diameter: 37 to 69 µm; length of processes: 8 to 16.7 µm.
Motile affinity: unknown
Stratigraphic range: ?Late Pleistocene to Recent.
Comparison with other species:
This species resembles very much Operculodinium israelianum in having a fibroreticulate cyst wall and processes that have a tapering base that are fibrous (showing striae with light microscopy). The only difference is that O. aguinawense has solid processes. However, the holotype and all other specimens depicted in Marret and Kim 2009 (the paper in which the species is described) clearly have hollow processes. It is therefore questionable if this is really a different species.