Upper Eocene and Oligocene 

Larger Foraminifera From 

Viti Levu, Fiji

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 374-A
Upper Eocene and Oligocene 

Larger Foraminifera From 

Viti Levu, Fiji

By W. STORKS COLE

SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 374-A

Illustrations of first Eocene and Oligocene fossils 

from Fiji, and their occurrence in 

surrounding areas

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1960
A-2 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

10 10 20 MILES

FIGURE 1. Locality and index map.
UPPER EOCENE AND OLIGOCENE LARGER FORAMINIFERA A-3

TABLE 1. Distribution of larger Foraminifera in the upper Eocene samples from Viti Levu, Fiji and elsewhere

[r = rare; c = common; a = abundant; X = present]

fuloerict (\Vhipple)

Viti Levu, Fiji

Loc. 1

r

c

r 

c

c

Loc. 2

a 

r

c

Loc. 3

r

a 

c

Saipan

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X

Eniwetok 

drill 

holes

X 

X 

X

X 

X

X

Eua, 

Tonga

X

X 

X 

X

Indonesia

X

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X

As these species are widespread in Tertiary b (upper 

Eocene) of Indonesia and the islands of the central 

Pacific, the deposits in which they occur on Viti Levu, 

Fiji, are assigned to this letter stage.

Whipple (1932, in Hoffmeister, p. 79) described several species from the Tertiary b (upper Eocene) of Eua, 

Tonga. Certain of these species were identified incorrectly and others were inadequately described. A revised list of certain of these species follows:

Names used by Whipple 

Camerina pengaronensis (Verbeek) 

Pellatispira fulgeria Whipple 

Discocirclina (Discocyclina) fritsclii (H. Douville)

cuaetixis Whipple 

(Asterocyclina) stellata (d'Archiac)

Van der Vlerk (1929, p. 7) assigned to Tertiary c 

several localities in northeast Borneo at which he found 

Camerina fichteU and a heterostegine which he identified as H. reticidata Riitimeyer. Bursch (1947, table 

1) reported C. fichteN and Gypsina discus in association 

at several localities on Gross Kei, Moluccan Islands, in 

sediments which he assigned to Tertiary c.

C. fichteli has been reported from Tertiary c beds in 

Java (Doornink, 1932, p, 285), Borneo (H. Douville,

Names used in this report 

C. pengaronensis (Verbeek) 

Biplanispira fulgeria (Whipple) 

D. (D.) otnphala (Fritsch) 

D. (D.) otnphala (Fritsch) 

A. matansensis Cole

This fauna is similar to the one at locality 1 on Viti 

Levu, Fiji.

Although all the species do not occur together in the 

three samples from Viti Levu, they do occur together 

elsewhere. Therefore, their distribution in the samples 

from Viti Levu may be ascribed either to inadequate 

size of the samples, or, more probably, to slight ecological controls.

OLIGOCENE FAUNA

It was possible to identify only two species with certainty from the one Tertiary c (Oligocene) locality. 

These are Camerina fichlcli (Michelotti) and Gypsina 

discus Goes. There were numerous small specimens of 

Heterostegina in association with these two species, but 

unfortunately the sections were not sufficiently centered 

for specific identification.

Tertiary c in Indonesia is characterized by the disappearance of the restricted Eocene genera, the presence of the reticulate species Camerina fchteU and the 

absence of LepidocycHna (Eulepidina] which appears 

first in this area in Tertiary d.

1905, p. 454), Soemba (Caudri, 1934, p. 72) as well as 

other localities in Indonesia. Cole (ms. in preparation) found this species in the Tertiary c of Guam. 

This occurrence on Guam represents the most eastern 

penetration of this species' into the Pacific basin so far

recorded.

PALEOECOLOGY

The specimens from locality 1 are embedded in pyroclastic material through which they are distributed 

more or less uniformly, but with the individual specimens commonly surrounded by matrix. This material 

is in marked contrast to that from locality 2 which 

represents a foraminiferal coquina (pi. 1, fig. 1). The 

individual specimens are often in contact and where 

spaces intervene between the specimens they are filled 

with broken fragments of foraminiferal tests. The 

abundant specimens from locality 3 are Discocyclina 

(Discocyclina} omphala (Fritsch} which commonly 

are arranged parallel to each other and generally separated by a thin zone of matrix composed mainly of
A-4 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

small broken fragments of calcareous algae and other 

organic debris.

The best estimate for depth of accumulation of sediments of this type would be 25-40 fathoms in waters 

with temperatures between 22° C and 27° C.

Rpiroclypeus is structurally similar to Heterostegina, 

a genus still living. Oushman, Todd and Post (1954, 

p. 320) in discussing the foraminiferal faunas of the 

lagoons of Rongerik, Rongelap, Bikini and Eniwetok 

stated 

Next in abundance in the lagoons is Heterostegina su'bor'bicularis d'Orbigny, which in a few places is more abundant than 

Amphistegina.

The fauna from locality 2, dominated by Spirnclypeus vermicidanx Tan, seemingly existed under 

conditions somewhat similar to those found at present 

in the lagoons of atolls.

The sediments in which Discocyclina. (Discocyclina} 

omphala (Fritsch) occur at locality 3 seemingly accumulated in water which was sufficiently deep so that 

the Discocyclina were not disturbed by \vave or current action, but into which gentle currents were able 

to transport organic debris originating in shallower 

water.

SYSTEMATIC DESCRIPTIONS

Family CAMEBJNIDAE

Genus CAMEBJNA Bruguiere, 1792

Camerina fichteli (Michelotti)

Plate 3, figures 5, 9-18

1841. Nummulites fichteli Michelotti. Soc. Ital. Sci., Mem., v. 

22, p. 296, pi. 3, fig. 7.

1934. Camerina fichteli (Michelotti). Caudri, Tertiary Deposits of Soeniba, Amsterdam, p. 72-81 (references).

1947. NummttHtes intermedius fichteli d'Archiac and Michelotti 1846, 1841. Bursch, Schweizerische Palaeont. 

Gesell., Abhand., v. 65, p. 19-21, pi. 1, figs. 4-6, 26; pi. 

2, figs. 6, 7; pi. 5, fig. 5 (references and synonyms).

This species is a reticulate camerinid. The reticulate pattern shows in the external view of slightly 

weathered specimens and in median sections which are 

not centered (see: fig. 11, pi. 3). The transverse sections superficially resemble those of Spiroelypeus.

Discussion. Numerous specimens of this species 

were found on Guam. Although these specimens were 

associated at certain localities on Guam with characteristic Tertiary b (upper Eocene) genera and species 

(Cloud and Cole, 1953, p. 323), later detailed mapping 

and studies of the faunas has demonstrated that the 

Tertiary b specimens represented reworked material 

(Cole, ins. in preparation). Therefore, the range of 

C. fichteli does not extend downward into Tertiary b 

as Cloud and Cole suggested it, might to explain the 

association they found on Guam.

Camerina pengaronensis (Verbeek) 

Plate 2, figure 4

1958. Camerina pengaronensis (Verbeek). Cole, U.S. Geol. 

Survey Prof. Paper 260-V, p. 753, 754, pi. 231, figs. 1-17*

[imprint date, 1957; references and synonyms]

This species occurred infrequently in the thin sections from locality 1. The best transverse section observed is figured.

Genus Operculina d'Orbigny, 1826

For a review of the synonyms of Operculina see: 

Cole, 1959, p. 351.

Operculina saipanensis (Cole)

1958. Operculinoirfes saipanensis Cole. Cole, U.S. Geol. Survey 

Prof. Paper 260-V, p. 755, pi. 232, figs. 7-14; pi. 233, 

figs. 31, 32 [imprint date, 1957; references].

The identification of this species which occurred infrequently in the thin sections from locality 3 is based 

on several complete and well-oriented transverse sections and one oblique median section.

Genus HETEROSTEGINA d'Orbigny, 1826

Heterostegina sp. 

Plate 3, figures 1, 2, 6, 8

As a well oriented median section was not found, it 

is impossible to identify this species. Two transverse 

and two median sections are illustrated for future 

reference.

Discussion. Specimens of Heterostegina in the Tertiary c of Borneo found in association with Camerina 

fichteli have been identified by van der Vlerk (1929, 

p. 16) as H. reticidata Riitimeyer, the types of which 

are from the Eocene of Switzerland. Tan (1932, p. 

136) referred other Indonesian specimens of Heterostegina to Heterostegina, cf. H. depressa d'Orbigny.

The details which could be observed suggest that 

these specimens are close to H. duplicamera Cole, a species described from lower Tertiary e (Miocene) sediments encountered in the Eniwetok drill holes.

Genus SPIROCLYPEUS H. Douville, 1905

Spiroclypeus vermicularis Tan

Plate 1, figures 10-14

1958. Spiroclypeus vermicularis Tan. Cole, U.S. Geol. Survey 

Prof. Paper 260-V, p. 764, pi. 238, figs. 1-6, 8-10, 11, 

12 [imprint date, 1957].

Discussion. The types are from Tertiary b deposits 

at Koetai, East Borneo. Typical specimens were

1 This report, which carries a 1957 imprint, was widely distributed 

in February 1958. It was not accepted officially by the Geological 

Survey until copies with improved collotype plates were received in 

March 1959.
UPPER EOCENE AND OLIGOCENE LARGER FORAMINIFERA A-5

found on Saipan and in Eniwetok drill hole F-l. In 

this drill hole they occur in core 11 at a depth of 4197- 

4222 feet (Cole, 1958, p. 749).

This typical Indo-Pacific genus is known to occur 

in the Indo-Pacific region only in Tertiary b and Tertiary e sediments. Although several species have been 

described from Tertiary e localities, the only species reported from the Tertiary b stage is /S. vermiculans.

Genus PELLAT1SPIRA Boussac, 1906

Fellatispira provaleae Yabe

Plate 1, figure 3

1957. Pellafispira proralcae Yabe. Cole, U.S. Gool. Survey 

Prof. Paper 280-1. p. 333, pi. 96, figs. 1, 2. 6; pi. 98, figs. 

1-12.

This species was represented by two incomplete sections in the thin sections from locality 2. The best section is illustrated.

Genus BIPLANISPIRA Umbgrove, 1937 

Biplanispira fulgeria (Whipple) 

Plate 1. figure 2 ; plate 2. figure 3

1958. Biplanispira fulgeria (Whipple). Cole, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 260-V, p. 765 [imprint date, 1957; references and synonyms].

This species was represented by numerous partial sections in the thin sections from locality 1. The expanded 

marginal cord is a distinctive and easily recognized feature of this species.

Biplanispira mirabilis (Umbgrove)

1958. Biplanispira mirabilis (Umbgrove). Cole, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 260-V, p. 765 [imprint date, 1957; references and synonyms].

A fe\v specimens were found at locality 1 in association with Biplanispira, fulgeria. These two species 

normally occur together.

Family RUPERTIIDAE 

Genus GYPSINA Carter, 1877

Gypsina discus Goes 

Plate 3, figures 3, 4. 7

1947. Gypsina discus Goes. Bursch, Schweizerische Palaeont. 

Gesell., Abhand., v. 65, p. 40-42, pi. 3, figs. 2, 4, 13, 17, 

22; pi. 5, figs. 6, 7; text figs. 15, 20 (references).

Discussion. The specimens are identical with those 

which Bursch described in detail from Gross Kei, 

Moluccan Islands. He identified this species both in 

Tertiary b (upper Eocene) and Tertiary c (Oligocene) 

beds. The type of the species is from the Caribbean 

sea, dredged from a depth of 400 fathoms.

The embryonic and equatorial chambers (fig. 4, pi. 

3) should be compared with the diagram given by

Bursch (1947, p. 41, text fig. 20) and the vertical section (fig. 7, pi. 3) should be compared with his schematic diagram (Bursch, 1947, p. 35, text fig. 15C).

Family DISCOCYCLINTDAE

Genus DISCOCYCLItfA Giimbel, 1870

Submenus DISCOCYCLItfA Giimbel, 1870

Discocyclina (Discocyclina) omphala (Fritsch)

Plate 2, figures 1. 2, 5-11

1057. ninco('!/r1in(i (I)i*cocijclin.<i) ompluila (Fritsch). Cole,

U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 280-1, p. 347-349, pi.

115, figs. 1-12 [references and synonyms]. 

1957. Discocyclina (DixrocycJina) inaopacifica Hanzawa, Geol.

Soc. America, Mem. 66, p. 82, 83, pi. 12, figs. 1, 2; pi.

13, figs. 2, 5, 6.

The part of the vertical section (pi. 2, fig. 7) should 

be compared with a similar section (Cole, 1957, pi. 115, 

fig. 10) of a specimen from Saipan. The internal 

structures are identical.

Specimens identified as this species by H. Douville 

(1905, p. 440, text figs. 1, 2) have a marked depressed 

area within the central umbo. Certain specimens from 

Saipan (see Cole, 1957, pi. 115, figs. 3, 4, 10) exhibit 

this same pattern. Other specimens, however, have an 

inflated umbo (Cole, 1957, pi. 115, figs. 6, 7). A few 

specimens from Viti Levu, Fiji (pi. 2, figs. 6, 7) have 

the depressed area within the central umbo, but the 

majority of the specimens are similar to the one illustrated as figure 5, plate 2.

As previously mentioned 

External shape is not a criterion upon which a species may be 

based as this character is variable. Internal structure is constant, and the main reliance for the definition of species of 

larger Foraminifera should be based on the internal structure 

(Cole, 1957, p. 349).

Discussion. Although several species of Discocyclina have been described from Indonesia, they are 

imperfectly known because of inadequate descriptions 

and illustrations. One of the species reported from 

numerous localities is D. javana (Verbeek). Caudri 

(1934, p. 87) wrote 

Judging from the number of Discocyclina javana Verbeek recorded from all parts of the Archipelago, one would be inclined 

to think that this Discocyclina was an easily determinate species. Nothing is further from the truth.

D. javana has been reported from numerous localities in Indonesia associated with specimens identified 

as D. omphala and D. dispansa (Sowerby). Study 

of the literature as well as certain Indonesian specimens 

from the Vaughan collection in the U.S. National 

Museum suggests that all of these Indonesian specimens represent only one species.

D. dispansa was described from specimens obtained 

in India. Therefore, it is doubtful if the Indonesian

551721 O-60 2

PLATES 1-3
PLATE 1

FIGURE 1. A part of a thin section of the foraminiferal coqnina from locality 2 to show the abundance of the tests; specimens on 

the left side are Spiroclypeus vermicularis Tan find the large specimen on the right side is Asterocyclina matanzensis 

Cole. USNM 627576.

2. Biplanispira fulgeria (Whipple) (p. A 5)

Oblique section through the embryonic chambers; locality 1. USNM 627577.

3. Pellatispira provaleae Yabe (p. A 5)

Oblique transverse section (see: Cole, 1957, pi. 98, fig. 12); locality 2. USNM 627578. 

4-9. Asterocylina matanzensis Cole (p. A-6)

4. Vertical section, centered; locality 2. USNM 627579.

5. Vertical section, not centered, along the rays; locality 1. USNM 627580. 

6, 7. Vertical sections, not centered; locality 1. USNM 627581.

8. Slightly oblique equatorial section of a megalospheric individual; locality 2. USNM 627582.

9. Oblique equatorial section to show the equatorial chambers; locality 2. 

10-14. Spiroclypeus vermicularis Tan (p. A-4)

10, 11. Median sections; locality 2. USNM 627584. 

12, 13, 14. Transverse sections; locality 2. USNM 627585.

USNM 627583.
GEOLOGICAL 'SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 374-A PLATE 1

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SPIROCLYPEUS, PELLATISPIRA, BIPLANISPIRA, AND ASTEROCYCLINA
GEOLOGICAL PURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 374-A PLATE 2

x --1?

X20

CAMERINA, BIPLANJSPIRA AND DISCOCYCLINA
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 374-A PLATE 1

SPIROCLYPEUS, PELLATISPIRA, BIPLANISPIRA, AND ASTEROCYCLINA
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 374-A PLATE 2

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CAMERINA, BIPLANISPIRA AND DISCOCYCLINA
PLATE 2

FIGURES 1, 2, 5-11. Discocyclina (Discocyclina) omphala (Fritsch) (p. A 5)

], 2. Parts of vertical sections of megalospheric individuals; locality 3. USNM 627586.

5. Vertical section, not centered, of an umbonate specimen; locality 3. USNM 627587.

6. Vertical section, not centered, of a specimen with a depressed central zone; locality 3. USNM 627588.

7. Enlarged part of the central area of the specimen illustrated as fig. 6 to show the details of the internal 

structures.

8. Oblique equatorial section of a megalospheric individual; locality 3. USNM 627589.

9, 10. Parts of a vertical section of a specimen from the Vaughan Indonesian collection identified as Discocyclina 

(Discocyclina) javana (Verbeek) to show the variable character of the lateral chambers; precise locality 

in Indonesia unknown. USNM 627590. 

11. Enlarged part of the central area of the specimen illustrated as fig. 8.

3. Biplanispira fulgeria (Whipple) (p. A 5)

Part of a transverse section to show the expanded marginal cord; locality 1. USNM 627591.

4. Camerina pengaronensis (Verbeek) (p. A 4)

Transverse section, not centered; locality 1. USNM 627592.
PLATE 3

FIGURES 1, 2, 6, 8. Heteroslegina sp. (p. A-4)

1, 2. Median sections; locality 4. USNM 627567. 

6, 8. Transverse sections; locality 4. USNM 627568. 

3, 4, 7. Gypsina discus Goes (p. A-5)

3. Vertical section, near center; locality 4. USNM 627569.

4. Equatorial section to show the embryonic and equatorial chambers; locality 4. USNM 627570.

7. The same specimen as figure 3, enlarged to show the details of the equatorial layer and the lateral chambers. 

5, 9-18. Camerina fichteli (Michelotti) (p. A-4)

5, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17, 18. Transverse sections to show variation between specimens; 17, the same specimen as figure 5, enlarged; locality 4. USNM 627571.

11. Section parallel to, but above, the median plane to illustrate the reticulate pattern; locality 4. USNM 

627572.

12. Slightly oblique median section to illustrate the reticulate pattern and shape of the chambers of the 

median plane; locality 4. USNM 627573.

13. Median section of a small specimen showing the embryonic chambers; locality 4. USNM 627574. 

16. Strongly oblique median section which shows the chambers of the median plane only in the upper part; 

locality'4. USNM 627575.
GEOLOGICAL 'SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 374-A PLATE 3

HETEROSTEGINA, GYPSINA, AND CAMERINA

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1960 O 551721