Solenosphaera omnitubus procera Sanfilippo and Riedel

Solenosphaera omnitubus procera Sanfilippo and Riedel, 1974, p.1024, pl.1, figs.2-5

DESCRIPTION

This subspecies comprises specimens with three to six tubular prolongations, longer than those of the nominate subspecies, and no spherical central shell (Sanfilippo and Riedel, 1974).

DIMENSIONS

Based on 10 specimens. Maximum diameter, to ends of tubes 55-105 µm (Sanfilippo and Riedel, 1974).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS

See Distinguishing Characters for S. omnitubus omnitubus.

DISTRIBUTION

S. omnitubus procera is found in latest Miocene and early Pliocene in latitudes lower than 20° in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its morphotypic first appearance lies within the Didymocyrtis penultima Zone and its morphotypic last appearance lies within the Spongaster pentas Zone.

PHYLOGENY

Unknown.

REMARKS

Strictly speaking, subspecies should not occupy the same geographic region during the same time interval. Hence, the division of S. omnitubus into two subspecies is probably not valid, nor is it useful stratigraphically. It is likely that the two forms are variations within a single species, but they could be considered as two separate species.