Pirumosphaera armandae nov. sp., a new Southern Ocean polycystine radiolarian genus and species

Abstract

This paper describes a new monospecific polycystine radiolarian genus and its single species so far, Pirumosphaera armandae, found in the Southwest Pacific and Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean. The new spumellarian form is rarely found as a complete specimen, as only its first and second shells are commonly found. However, partially complete specimens suggest that the test of this species is made of four shells. The most diagnostic feature of the species is the peculiar shape of the first shell which protrudes through the second shell, a characteristic that does not conform to any other Quaternary spumellarian genus. Based on the distinct and unique relationship between the first and second shells, the species is assigned to the newly established Pirumosphaera genus.