Martiniaster cecellanoriae Steurbaut & Nolf, 2021, n. sp.
Creators: name: Steurbaut, Etienne
name: Nolf, Dirk
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2021
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Chromista
Haptophyta
Coccolithophyceae
Lithostromationaceae
Martiniaster
Martiniaster cecellanoriae

description: Martiniaster cecellanoriae n. sp.
(Fig. 18F, G)
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: BC34435D-E488-4BDF-A956-093AA0FA4C44
Martiniaster fragilis – Aubry 1983: 156, pl. 4, fig. 23; 1986: 327, pl. 4, fig. 23 (non C. fragilis Martini, 1961).
HOLOTYPE. — Fig. 18G (IRSNB b7099) (negative stored in the collections of the RBINS).
PARATYPES. — 1 from the “Chaumont-en-Vexin sands” at Chaumonten-Vexin (sample CHA 11, 0.55 m above the base of the Lutetian (Fig. 18F, IRSNB b7098) and 2 non-figured specimens from the base of Unit A4 of the Aalter Sand Formation (Mont-des-Récollets: 114.85 m and Vlakte van de Raan borehole: 82.95 m depth).
DIAGNOSIS. — Circular fragile structure, slightly conical in side view, consisting of a series of concentric rings, supported by 17 to 19 radially oriented pillars, resembling a spider’s web.
DERIVATIO NOMINIS. — The species name is a combination of Cecile, the Christian name of the first author’s spouse, who passed away recently, and of Ella-Noor, the first name of his grand-daughter.
LOCUS TYPICUS. — Leuven borehole, 23.70 m depth, 50°53’24.36”N, 4°42’33.69”E.
STRATUM TYPICUM. — Brussel Sand Formation, base of Unit BE; base of NP14.
DIMENSIONS. — Diameter = 13 to 14 µm (holotype: d = 14 µm).
DISTRIBUTION. — At the Mont-des-Récollets it is known from 1 specimen in the upper part of the Aalter Sand Sand Formation (lower Unit A4, base NP14). It has also been recorded in the Vlakte van de Raan borehole at the top of the Aalter Sand Formation (upper Unit A4, 82.95 m depth, lower NP14) and in the Leuven-Artois borehole (base of Unit BE, base of NP14). It has been identified in several samples of the lower part of the ‘Chaumon-en-Vexin sands’ at the Darcy site at Chaumont-en-Vexin (Steurbaut, unpublished information). These records led us to conclude that the LO of M. cecellanoriae n. sp. is a major stratigraphical marker, as it is coincident with the base of NP14 and the base of the historical Lutetian stratotype.
DESCRIPTION
This circular slightly inflated body consists of a number of (generally three) peripheral concentric rings surrounding a central network, which are supported by 17 to 19 radially oriented pillars. This concentric structure, which resembles a spider’s web, shows no birefringence under crossed nicols.
DISCUSSION
This taxon has many similarities with Martiniaster fragilis, but instead of the 12 radially arranged peripheral ridges, it has a much larger number of radial pillars (generally between 17 and 19), which are less prominently developed. It appears to be also less globular.
description: Published as part of Steurbaut, Etienne & Nolf, Dirk, 2021, The Mont-des-Récollets section (N France): a key site for the Ypresian-Lutetian transition at mid-latitudes - reassessment of the boundary criterion for the base- Lutetian GSSP, pp. 311-363 in Geodiversitas 43 (11) on page 346, DOI: 10.5252/geodiversitas2021v43a11, http://zenodo.org/record/4891107