The extant thermophilic dinoflagellateTectatodinium pellitum(al.Tectatodinium rugulatum) from the Danian of Denmark

Abstract

Tectatodinium rugulatum(Hansen, 1977) McMinn, 1988, from the lower Danian of Denmark, is considered conspecific with, and a junior synonym of, the extant thermophilic speciesTectatodinium pellitumWall, 1967. However, the Danian material, based on holotype and topotype specimens, appears to show a degree of morphologic variability not seen in younger material. The accepted stratigraphic range base ofTectatodinium pellitumis now extended to the lower Danian, where this species appears to be a useful biostratigraphic marker in the Danish North Sea basin.