Stoliczkella subovata

DESCRIPTION Colony erect, bilamellar, flat or with lensoidal cross section, with zooecial orientation indicative of potential bifurcation distally, autozooecia opening on both faces. Autozooecia somewhat elongateoval (especially in interior view) to rhomboidal, although exterior boundary lines can disappear with secondary calcification. Frontal shield umbonuloid, frontally smooth, convex, imperforate except for tiny marginal areolar pores, these often tending to be lacking laterally, paired proximally. Interior view shows a large area of planar-spherulitic microstructure bordered by a ring scar. Peristomial aperture shows a proximal median process that may or may not have 2 – 3 slight projections distally; median process fusing with a projection from either side to form a pair of spiramina; this arrangement more clearly seen from interior view, with the median process sometimes grooved. ‘ Primary orifice’ (observable from interior view) semicircular with slightly convex proximal margin. Oral spines absent. Median suboral avicularium relatively large, subcircular, rostrum proximofrontally directed, crossbar mostly broken. Ooecium deeply immersed, recumbent on distal zooecium, ectooecium imperforate, typically somewhat concealed by secondary calcification. Additional smaller adventitious avicularia, circular, sparsely found laterofrontally or proximally on frontal shield, with rostrum directed obliquely laterally or proximally. Vicarious avicularia situated on margin of the colony, these larger than autozooecia with a rounded rostrum and oval aperture.

REMARKS Two species occurred in a single box with the same name (Eschara (Flustrina) subovata) and registration number. Five specimens are Stoliczkella subovata n. comb. and correspond with Stoliczka’s original description and illustrations. Ŋe remaining two specimens belong to Reteporella and comprise colony fragments with apertures opening only on one side. Ŋese two specimens were erroneously cited as Eschara (Flustrina) subovata by Zágoršek (2001, 2003) and listed under Reteporella. According to Stoliczka’s original description and illustration, Eschara (Flustrina) subovata has bilamellar colonies (with a medial lamella) that definitely do not belong to Phidoloporidae; the species described as Reteporella subovata from Eocene sediments of Reingruberhohe (Zágoršek 2003) and Buda Marls (Zágoršek 2001) may represent a new species of Reteporella. Ŋe specimen described by Zágoršek (2003) as Galeopsis cf. subquadrangularis (Reuss) corresponds to Stoliczkella subovata n. comb. in having elongateoval autozooecia, large suboral avicularia and one pair of areolar septular pores in the proximal part of the autozooecium. Although adventitious and vicarious avicularia have not been observed in the Reingruberhohe specimens, we believe they belong to Stoliczkella subovata n. comb.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Seven specimens labelled as Eschara (Flustrina) subovata registered as 2010 / 0259 / 0006, but only five may be regarded as syntypes. Two specimens belong to the genus Reteporella. Ŋe chosen lectotype (designated here) corresponds with Stoliczka’s illustration (1862: pl. 2, fig. 9) and is depicted as Figure 4 B herein.