A stratigraphic and taxonomic atlas of Bolboforma (Protophytes, incertae sedis, Tertiary)

• Published in: The Journal of Foraminiferal Research
• Main Authors: Spiegler, Dorothee, Daniels, C. H. von
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research 1991
• Subjects: North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/31871/; https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/31871/1/Spiegler%20and%20Daniels.pdf; https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.21.2.126

Members of the genus Bolboforma are marine microfossils of generally spheroidal shape, whose tests are composed of monocrystalline low-magnesium calcite, and are believed to be derived from protophytic algae. Bolboformids have been studied primarily in sediments from the North Atlantic, the North Sea Basin, and southern high latitudes; they range in age from middle Eocene to early Pliocene. They have not been observed in Pleistocene to Recent sediments. The geographical distribution of the genus and the stratigraphic occurrence of 42 Bolboforma taxa are outlined herein. Thirteen biozones are defined. Bolboformids, as now known, are distributed mainly in high latitudes. So far, occurrences in low latitudes are rare. These microfossils have considerable biostratigraphic value, mainly in high latitudes, where they supplement the standard zonations based on other microfossil groups. This paper includes monographic, uniform descriptions of all known Bolboforma taxa. New species are Bolboforma atlantica, B. bella, B. compressibadenensis, B. compressispinosa, B. furcata, B. geomaris, B. indistincta, B. latdorfensis, B. micra, B. pustula, B. pentaspinosa, B. praespinosa, B. robusta, B. subfragoris, and B. subreticulata. Four taxa are left in open nomenclature.