Textularia Defrance 1824

Mamo, Briony L., 2016, Benthic Foraminifera from the Capricorn Group, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Zootaxa 4215 (1), pp. 1-123 : 18-21

Textularia Defrance 1824

Textularia agglutinans d’Orbigny 1839 ( Fig. 4 :8–13)

1839 Textularia agglutinans d’Orbigny , p. 144, pl. 1, figs 17, 18.

1987 Textularia agglutinans d’Orbigny ; Baccaert, p. 15, pl. 4, figs 6, 7. 1991 Textularia agglutinans d’Orbigny ; Triffleman et al., p. 42, pl. 1, fig.1. 1993 Textularia agglutinans d’Orbigny ; Hottinger et al. p. 36, pl.13, figs 1–9. 1994 Textularia agglutinans d’Orbigny ; Loeblich & Tappan, p. 27, pl. 33, figs 8–12. 2008 Textularia agglutinans d’Orbigny ; Strotz, p. 139, fig. 3ac–ad.

2009 Textularia agglutinans d’Orbigny ; Parker, p. 44, fig. 33a–k.

2012 Textularia agglutinans d’Orbigny ; Debenay, p. 95, pl. 2.

Description. See Hottinger et al. (1993; p. 36, pl. 13, figs 1–9) and Parker (2009; p. 44, fig. 33a–k).

Remarks. Specimens referred to Textularia agglutinans d’Orbigny 1839 have a coarsely agglutinated, biserial test with gradually increasing chamber size, inflated chambers, particularly in the final chambers, depressed sutures and rounded periphery ( Fig. 4 :8–13). The assignment is further supported by the presence of a subcircular periphery and an aperture consisting of a basal slit within a slight recess ( Fig. 4 :8–13).

The Australian Brady Collections stored in the Natural History Museum of London (specimens examined) show slight intraspecific variation compared to CG specimens of T. agglutinans . Textularia agglutinans collected north of Sir Hardy’s Reef (northern GBR) are more compact and narrow than those from the CG. The chambers of the Sir Hardy’s Reef specimens however, were uneven and possessed great variance in size and shape due to the difference in composition of the agglutinated grains, just like those from the CG. Sir Hardy’s Reef specimens had deep sutures that made the chamber above appear to overhang the chamber beneath but this was caused by the coarse nature of the agglutinated grains. Specimens from the same collection but only labelled “Coral Reef, Australia ”, are morphologically similar to CG taxa and the display material possesses tests with sutures of varying depth and chambers with varying levels of compression.

When compared to specimens described by Parker (2009) from Ningaloo Reef, the CG specimens should be considered as juveniles since they have fewer chambers than the Ningaloo material and are shorter in test length. However, the CG specimens are very similar to specimens documented by Crevison & Hallock (2002), Strotz (2008), Hottinger et al. (1993), Bacceart (1987) and Loeblich & Tappan (1994), that all have a similar number of chambers.

Textularia agglutinans can be discriminated from Textularia candeiana d’Orbigny 1839 ( Fig. 4 :14–16) by its larger size range of agglutinated grains, its small and more compressed chambers and its different aperture shape. Textularia candeiana bears a broad, distinctly low arched aperture at the base of a largely inflated final chamber bordered by a narrow upper lip. Textularia agglutinans differs from Textularia lateralis Lalicker 1935 ( Fig. 5 :3–6) in that it possesses less compressed chambers, more deeply depressed sutures, less pinched and more rounded peripheral margin and more inflated final chambers. Textularia agglutinans differs from Textularia sp. 1 ( Fig. 5 :7, 8) in having a greater size range of agglutinated grains, having only the final chamber distinctly inflated and bearing a slit-like aperture as opposed to a round hole-shaped aperture. This species differs from Textularia jparkeri n. sp. ( Fig. 4 : 17–20; 5: 1, 2) due to its smaller size and lacks pinching of its basal sutures.

Textularia agglutinans has global distribution (Cuba—d’Orbigny 1839; Malay Archipelago , Florida, Ningaloo Reef , Western Australia—Parker 2009; Nicaraguan Rise—Triffleman et al. 1991; the Atlantic and Caribbean— Crevison & Hallock 2002; Timor Sea—Loeblich & Tappan 1994; Gulf of Aqaba—Hottinger et al. 1993; Viti Levu , Fiji—Strotz 2008; New Caledonia to 80 m depth in southern lagoons—Debenay 2012; GBR north of Sir Charles Hardy Islands to 25 m, Coral Reef to 31 m and Lizard Island—Brady 1884, Baccaert 1987).

Distribution within study area. Textularia agglutinans was collected from all four of the studied reefs in the CG, typically with counts ranging from one to five specimens per sample. Its greatest abundance was found in the channel (CHANNEL) sample between Heron and Wistari, site 50 in One Tree Lagoon 2 and at site 38 in One Tree Lagoon 1 with 9– 11 specimens. These three sample sites were of relatively greater depths than other sample sites which may indicate a deeper water preference in this species. Compared to other Textularia species from the CG, T. agglutinans is the most abundant.

Textularia candeiana d’Orbigny 1839 ( Fig. 4 :14–16)

Description. See d’Orbigny (1839; p. 143, pl. 1, figs 25–27).

Distribution within study area. Textularia candeiana d’Orbigny 1839 was only collected from the relatively deep channel sample between Heron and Wistari Reefs at a depth of 35 m. In comparison to other Textularia species from the CG, T. candeiana is as common as Textularia sp. 1 and less abundant that both T. agglutinans and T. lateralis .

Textularia jparkeri n. sp. ( Fig. 4 :17–20; 5:1, 2)

1997 Textularia kerimbaensis Said ; Haig, p.270, fig. 3: 8. 2009 Textularia sp.1, Parker, pg. 56, figs 42a–g; 43a–k.

Diagnosis. Large, rounded test, roughly agglutinated with large grains and deep, sinuose sutures. Internally, this species lacks septa partitioning between chambers.

Description. (after Parker 2009) Test large, free, roughly triangular in outline and oval in cross-section ( Fig. 4 :17; 5:1). Chambers biserially arranged, wider than high, slightly pinching periphery and becoming increasingly inflated as the test grows. Sutures depressed with basal areas of each chamber pinching sharply inwards to the preceeding suture ( Fig. 4 :17, 19). Test is coarsely agglutinated, most commonly with rounded grains. Aperture consists of a basal slit at the base of the final chamber with a thin but heavily agglutinated lip ( Fig. 4 :18, 20). Test walls are thick with an extensive canaliculate network ( Fig. 5 :1, 2).

Remarks. These distinctive specimens were assigned to Textularia due their free, agglutinated, biserial test with depressed sutures and inflated chambers. With its relatively large size (~ 1–2 mm), inflated chambers and with the basal area of each chamber deeply incised ( Fig. 4 :17, 19), this species strongly resembles Septotextularia rugosa Cheng & Zheng 1978 . It is differentiated by the lack of internal septa ( Fig. 5 :1, 2) and a more coarsely agglutinated test. This species also bears resemblance to Textularia kerimbaensis Said 1949 , particularly those that were published by Debenay (2012) from New Caledonia (pg. 97) but as previously mentioned by Parker (2009) this species is much larger in size, the sutures are more sinuous and the rapidly increasing chamber size diagnostic of T. kerimbaensis produces chambers substantially wider than high.

Specimens of this taxon from Ningaloo Reef (as Textularia sp. 1 by Parker 2009) show a much greater range of morphological variety than those collected from the GBR. Ningaloo Reef specimens, whilst including forms reported here, additionally show more compressed tests with less inflated chambers, more irregularly agglutinated grains and the apertural lip is not always obscured.

Derivation of name. This species is named after the researcher who provided substantial and insightful input for this manuscript and previously published this species unnamed from the Ningaloo reef, Justin Parker.

Material. Holotype—QM#G465953 ( Fig. 4 :17, 18); Paratypes QM#G466055 ( Fig. 4 :19, 20), QM#G466056 ( Fig. 5 :1), QM#G466057 and QM#G466058 ( Fig. 5 :2), all specimens were retrieved at a depth of 35 m from the channel between Heron and Wistari Reefs, Capricorn Group, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Holocene.

Distribution within study area. This species is most commonly collected from One Tree and Heron Reefs, but was absent from Wistari Lagoon and it was only found at site 28 on Sykes Reef. Additionally, standard counts for this species averaged one to two specimens per site, but site 50 in One Tree Lagoon 2 yielded five times the average abundance and the channel sample fourteen times the average abundance. This implies that this species tends to prefer greater depths.

Textularia lateralis Lalicker 1935 ( Fig. 5 :3–6)

1935 Textularia lateralis Lalicker , p. 1, pl. 1, figs 3–5.

1997 Textularia lateralis Lalicker ; Haig, p. 270, fig. 3: 9.

2009 Textularia lateralis Lalicker ; Parker, p. 54, figs 40a–j, 41a–c. 2012 Textularia lateralis Lalicker ; Debenay, p. 97, pl. 2.

Description. See Lalicker (1935; p. 1, pl. 1, figs 3–5) and Parker (2009; p. 54, figs 40a–j, 41a–c).

Remarks. This species was assigned to Textularia lateralis Lalicker 1935 due to its free subtriangular, somewhat compressed test that has a subacute periphery and numerous chambers that are often twice as wide as high ( Fig. 5 :3, 5). This taxon is also characterised by distinct and slightly depressed sutures, finely arenaceous chamber walls and an aperture consisting of a low slit-like opening at the base of the inner margin of the last chamber ( Fig. 5 :4, 6).

Textularia lateralis can be distinguished from T. agglutinans ( Fig. 4 :8–13) by its distinctly less inflated final chambers, longer and more shallow chambers, sutures that are not as depressed and test periphery that is more pinched and less rounded. Textularia lateralis is distinguished from T. candeina ( Fig. 4 :14–16) by its subtriangular test shape, more compressed chambers, lack of a greatly inflated final chamber and lack of the broad, low aperture that is bordered by a narrow upper lip which is diagnostic of T. candeiana . Textularia lateralis differs from Textularia sp. 1 ( Fig. 5 :7, 8) by its less well sorted agglutinated grains and depressed sutures, more compressed chambers and slit-like aperture.

The type material of T. lateralis was collected by Lalicker (1935) from a site north of Puerto Rico from a depth of 439– 548 m . Specimens have since been retrieved from Western Australia (Exmouth Gulf—Haig 1997; Ningaloo Reef—Parker 2009) and New Caledonia between depths of 5–40 m ( Debenay 2012).

Distribution within study area. Textularia lateralis was recovered from all reefs except Sykes. However, it was only present at site 24 in Wistari Lagoon. The most abundant sites for T. lateralis were the channel sample between Heron and Wistari Reefs and samples 53 and 51 in One Tree Lagoon 2. Otherwise this taxon was commonly found with an abundance of one to three specimens per site. In comparison to the other Textularia species, T. lateralis was less abundant than T. agglutinans but was more common than T. candeiana and Textularia sp. 1.

Figures

FIGURE 4. (Unless otherwise specified all scale bars = 100 µm). 1 – 3. Rudigaudryina minor (Chapman, 1902), 1. QM # G 465826 from OTI 39, side view. Scale bar = 500 µm. 2 – 3. QM # G 465830 from OTI 39 lateral view (2) and oral view (3). Scale bar for 2 = 200 µm. 4 – 5. Siphoniferoides siphonifera (Brady, 1881), QM # G 465792 from T 2 – 1. 4. Lateral view, scale bar = 200 µm. 5. Oral view. 6 – 7. Sahulia barkeri (Hofker, 1978), QM # G 465827 from OTI 39. 6. Aboral view. 7. Lateral view. 8 – 13. Textularia agglutinans d’Orbigny, 1839. 8 – 9. QM # G 465957 from OTI 43 lateral (8) and oral (9) views. Scale bar for 8 = 50 µm. Scale bar for 9 = 20 µm. 10 – 11. QM # G 465959 from OTI 50 lateral (10) and oral (11) views. Scale bar for 10 = 200 µm. 12 – 13. QM # G 465903 from ST / HW 10 lateral (12) and oral (13) views. 14 – 16. Textularia candeiana d’Orbigny, 1839, QM # G 465966 from CHANNEL. 14 Lateral view. 15. Peripheral view, scale bar = 200 µm. 16. Oral view. 17 – 20. Textularia jparkeri n. sp. 17 – 18. QM # G 465953 from CHANNEL. 17. Lateral view, scale bar = 500 µm. 18. Oral view, scale bar = 200 µm. 19 – 20. QM # G 466055 from CHANNEL, lateral (19) and oral (20) views. Scale bars = 200 µm.

FIGURE 5. (Unless otherwise specified all scale bars = 100 µm). 1 – 2. Textularia jparkeri n. sp. 1. QM # G 466056 from CHANNEL with uppermost chambers broken to reveal canaliculate wall and lack of internal septula. 2. QM # G 466058 from CHANNEL broken along longitudinal axis to view internal chamber arrangement. 3 – 6. Textularia lateralis Lalicker, 1935. 3 – 4. QM # G 465958 from OTI 43 lateral (3) and oral (4) views. 5 – 6. QM # G 465892 from ST / HW 8 lateral (5) and oral (6) views. 7 – 8. Textularia sp. 1, QM # G 465803 from T 2 – 3. 7. Lateral view, scale bar = 200 µm. 8. Oral view, scale bar = 200 µm. 9 – 11. Olgia pacifica (Cushman, 1924). 8. QM # G 466132 from OTI 20, lateral view, scale bar = 200 µm. 10 – 11. QM # G 465780 from ST / HW 2 lateral (10) and oral (11) views. 12. Cornuspira planorbis Schultze, 1854, QM # G 465976 from OTI 51. Lateral view, scale bar = 50 µm. 13 – 14. Nodobaculariella cf. N. japonica Cushman & Hanzawa, 1937, QM # G 466078 from OTI 52. 13. Lateral view. 14. Oral view. 15 – 16. Wiesnerella auriculata (Egger, 1893), QM # G 465990 from T 2 – 11. 15. Oral view. 16. Lateral view. Scale bars = 50 µm. 17 – 20. Nubeculina advena Cushman, 1924 from CHANNEL. 17 – 18. QM # G 465867 lateral (17) and close-up oral (18) views. Scale bar for 17 = 500 µm. 19 – 20. QM # G 465866, lateral (19) and close-up of oral (20) views. Scale bar for 19 = 500 µm.