Mauriceblackia media

Ericsonia media Bown, 2016

Emended by Varol, 2023: Circular species of Mauriceblackia with a central area characterised by a narrow central opening surrounded by a broad tube cycle with a serrated periphery. The distally protruding tube cycle diameter is much greater than the width of the shields. The diameter of the distal and proximal shields is similar.

Mauriceblackia media is distinguished from the circular species of Coccolithus (i.e., Coccolithus formosus) and Senelia (i.e., Senelia plevrotos) by having a tube cycle that distinctly protrudes above the distal shield and a proximal shield with an acute inclination angle. Mauriceblackia is further distinguished from Senelia by having a spaced proximal shield. In contrast, the appressed proximal shield lies within the inner perimeter of the distal shield in Senelia. For the same reason, Mauriceblackia differs from Noelia, which also has an appressed proximal shield located in the internal perimeter of the distal shield.

Bown, P. R. 2016. Paleocene calcareous nannofossils from Tanzania (TDP sites 19, 27 and 38). Journal of Nannoplankton Research. 36(1): 1-32.

Varol, O. 2023. New paleocene calcareous nannofossils: Carlamuelleria, Davidbukrya, Mauriceblackia, Noelia and Senelia. Marine Micropaleontology. 180: 1-41.