138 



J.B. RICHARDSON, R.M. RODRIGUEZ AND S.J.E. SUTHERLAND 



(Form 2) with curvaturae formed from bands of sculpture (Rodriguez, 

 1983: pi. 8, fig. 8). In England the spores with arcuate lines of 

 sculpture (curvaturae) show a morphological sequence of increasing 

 complexity through the Pfidoli and into the Lochkovian. The same 

 trend to a lesser extent is seen in spore assemblages from the 

 Cantabrian Mountains. Two azonate species are illustrated in 

 Rodriguez (1983). Form 3 is zonate and new but the curvaturate 

 sculptural pattern is similar to that seen in Form 2. The three forms 

 are referred to in the text as follows. 



Form 1 : Retusotriletesl saturnus sp. nov. 



Form 2: ApiciiUrelusispora arcidecus sp. nov. 



Form 3; Breconisporitesl spp. (cf. Retusotriletes coronadus 

 Rodriguez). 



Retusotriletes? saturnus sp. nov.Pl. 2, figs 2, 3; PI. 3, fig. 1 



1983 Retusotriletes coronadus Rodriguez: 46: pi. 8, fig. 1 only. 



Derivation of name. Latin m. Saturnus, Saturn, referring to the 

 concentric rings, i.e. double curvaturae surrounding the spore. 



HOLOTYPE. Rodriguez, 1983: figs 3, 43, pi. 8, fig. 1. 



Diagnosis. Distally laevigate retusoid trilete spores with two 

 curvaturate bands; the inner band forms a raised wedge-shaped band 

 and joins with the trilete folds. 



Description. Amb +/- circular, hemispherical in lateral view 

 with more flattened proximal surface. Exine distally laevigate and 

 proximally microrugulate to scabrate; rugulae often more pronounced 

 between the two curvaturate bands, inner band c. 5/8 spore radius, 

 slightly invaginated at the radial apices, outer band +/- equals spore 

 radius, although often markedly invaginated radially. Curvaturate 

 bands distinct, equatorial margin of inner curvaturae minutely ir- 

 regular, outer curvaturate band with smoother margin, forming a 

 distinct narrow extension, trilete rays with slightly sinuous low lips. 



Dimensions. 30^9|jm (16 specimens measured). 



Comparisons. The double curvaturate band and distinctive proxi- 

 mal microsculpture distinguish these spores from other species of 

 the genera Retusotriletes and Scylaspora. R. bipellis does not have 

 the scalloped inner 'curvaturae' and the proximal surface appears to 

 be smooth. The type material was not available for comparison. 



Occurrence. Upper San Pedro Formation, upper EC and lower 

 MN Sub-Biozones, Argovejo; upper EC (Aneurospora Sub-Biozone) 

 Geras; uppermost EC {Aneurospora Sub-Biozone), La Peral; and 

 lower MN Sub-Biozone La Vid; uppermost Pfidoli and Lower 

 Lochkovian. 



Remarks. Retusotriletesl saturnus sp. nov. forms part of the 

 original/?, 'coronadus' com^X&x of Rodriguez (1983) and occurs in 

 the highest Pfidolf and Lower Lochkovian in the Cantabrian Moun- 

 tains. So far this species has not been found in the Anglo- Welsh area, 

 where few sections of this interval have produced spores. The 

 proximal surface of R. saturnus is quite distinctive. The inner 

 curvaturae form a wedge-shaped thickening and invaginate at the 

 contact with the often indistinct trilete folds. The proximal surface is 

 scabrate to microrugulate (under SEM), a feature that is specially 

 marked between the inner and outer curvaturate zones. The outer 

 curvaturae are coincident with the equator except in the inter-radial 

 areas and the distal surface is smooth. In equatorial view, under the 

 SEM. the spore resembles a limpet, with the raised inner curvatura 

 resembling a mantle, and the outer curvatura resembling the shell. 

 The structure of R. 'coronadus ' however, with its wedge-shaped 

 inner curvatural band, revealed by SEM studies, is distinct both from 

 the species holotype figured by Rodriguez (1983: pi. 9, fig.l) and 

 from A. archidecus. 



Genus APICULIRETUSISPORA Streel. 1964 



Apiculiretusispora arcidecus sp.nov PI. 2, fig. 4 



Basionym. Retusotriletes coronadus Rodriguez, 1983 (pars) . 



1983 Retusotriletes coronadus Rodriguez (pars); Rodriguez: 46. 

 pi. 8, fig. 8. 



Derivation of name. Latin arc, arch or arc, decus, ornament; 

 referring to the curvatural sculptured zones. 



Holotype. Rodriguez, 1983: pi. 8, fig. 8. 



Diagnosis. Retusoid spores with scupture of grana and coni con- 

 fined to the curvaturae and borders of the trilete mark. 



Description. Amb circular to sub circular, trilete mark distinct, 

 laesurae labrate, 4/5ths radius, sculptural elements form the 

 curvaturae perfectae, may connect with broad bands of sculpture 

 which border the lips, and can also occur on the lips. Sculptural 

 elements variable from barely discernible to distinct under the light 

 microscope; elements consist of micrograna. microconi and coni, 

 >l-1.5|am high and wide. Proximal equatorial areas, outside the 

 contact areas, and distal surface laevigate. 



Dimensions. 28^3 pm. 



Comparisons. This species is distinguished by curvaturae 



PLATE 3 



Fig. 1 Retusotriletesl saturnus sp. nov. BM 129970, proximal view, sample Arg92/ 10. 



Fig. 2 Telisporites sp. A. LV92/13; 2a, BM 130849, proximal view, x 500; 2b BM 130850, distal spines and curvatural ridge; 2c BM 130851, distinct 



sculpture on contact area, x 2500. 

 Fig. 3 Insolisporites sp. Ger92/2B; 3a, BM 134643, proximal view showing distal sculpture and proximal apical cones; 3b, BM 134644, detail of proximal 



apical sculpture, x 2000. 

 Fig. 4 Raistrickia sp. GerlSB; 4a, BM 130714, proximal view, x 2000; 4b, BM 130713, detail of baculate sculpture and labrate laesurae, x 2500. 

 Fig. 5 Scylaspora vetusta (Rodriguez) comb. nov. Ger2B/l ; 5a, BM 1 35 149. obliquely compressed specimen with proximal crenulate muri near the 



equator; 5b BM 135150, detail of proximal sculpture x 2000. 

 Fig. 6 Emphanisporites cf. decoratu s AWen 1965. BM 132902, slightly oblique proximal view showing spaced distal cones, sample LV13/1. 

 Fig. 7 Emphanisporites rotatus McGregor 1 96 1 . BM 1 34062, proximal view, Arg92/5A. 

 Fig. 8 Emphanisporites cf. splendens Richardson & loannides 1979. BM 134633, proximal view?, showing annulus, apical thickening and radial muri, 



Ger92/2B. 

 Fig. 9 Emphanisporites splendens Richardson & loannides 1979. 9a, BM 140339, proximal view showing well-developed paired lips, faint radial muri 



and three prominent inter radial thickenings, x 2000, LPIO/DD; 9b, BM 136882, proximal view showing a kyrtome-like structure, Ger2B/l, x 1000. 



All figs X 1000, unless stated otherwise. 



