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Spiniferites frigidus

Zonneveld, K.A.F. and Pospelova V. (2015). A determination key for modern dinoflagellate cysts. Palynology 39 (3), 387- 407.

 
 
 
 

Field characteristics

Spiniferites frigidus Harland et Reid in Harland et al. 1980

Field characteristics:
Proximochorate cyst of elongate shape. Cyst wall is smooth to microgranulate or even micropunctuate. Processes are bifurcate or trifurcate tips but can not be always seen as discrete structures since they often form part of the septas. Archeopyle is precingular (type P).

Dimensions: Cyst body: 18 to 50 (width) x 50 to 87 (length) µm (excluding processes and parasutural septa).
Motile affinity: Probably a cyst of Gonyaulax spp.
Stratigraphic range: Holocene.

Comparison with other species:
Spiniferites frigidus resembles most closely S. elongates but has more rectangle corners compared to the latter one. However, all transitions between the two end-morphotypes are common and as a result these species are often grouped.