Suprageneric Classification of Rhizopodea: ABSTRACT

Abstract

A proposed suprageneric classification of the class Rhizopodea is given, with particular revision to the order Foraminiferida. The subclass Lobosia contains the orders Amoebida, Arcellinida, and Mycetozoida. The subclass Filosia includes the orders Aconchulinida and Gromida, and the subclass Granuloreticulosia includes the orders Athalamida, Monothalamida, Foraminiferida, Xenophyophorida, and Proteomyxida. The order Foraminiferida includes 7 superfamilies based on wall composition and structure, and method of test growth: Lagynacea (gelatinous to chitinous tests) Astrorhizacea (non-sepate, agglutinated test), Lituolacea (septate and agglutinated), Parathuramminacea (non-septate, with wall of calcareous granules in calcareous cement), Endothyracea (septate, with granular or fibrous calcareous wall, generally with two distinct layers), Fusulinacea (basically three distinct wall layers), Miliolacea (porcellaneous). The so-called calcareous perforate foraminifera represent ten superfamilies, six of which have radially built walls: the Nodosariacea (with basically radiate aperture), Buliminacea (high spired test and commonly with internal toothplate), Asterigerinacea (enrolled, no-canalicula e, walls and septa single layered), Rotaliacea (canaliculate, enrolled), Globigerinacea (planktonic), Orbitoidacea (with double walls and primarily formed double septa). The last four superfamilies include the Cassidulinacea (walls of perforate granular calcite), Carterinacea (walls of calcareous secreted spicules), Robertinacea (wall of aragonite and chambers internally subdivided) and Spirillinacea (wall optically acts as a single crystal of calcite). A complete synonymy of all suprageneric categories has been compiled, in order to determine the correct family group names to be utilized, on a priority basis. End_of_Article - Last_Page 133------------