Discoaster fawzyi

Discoaster fawzyi Varol & Bowman, 2024

1963 Discoaster kugleri Martini & Bramlette (pro parte), pl. 102, fig. 12; non-pl. 102, figs. 11, 13

2017 Discoaster kugleri Martini & Bramlette, 1963. – de Kaenel et al., pl. 2, fig. 8; non-pl. 2, figs. 1-7, 9-10

Hexagonal, symmetrical discoasters have a large featureless central area and parallel-sided arms with distal ridges that terminate in notches and flaps. The diameter of the central area is always greater than the length of the arms.

In honour of Ayman Fawzy, biostratigrapher, Geo-Research, Cairo, Egypt.

Maximum diameter: 13.36 µm, Diameter of the central area: 6.88 µm, Length of the arms: 1.19 µm (measurements from bright field micrograph).

Discoaster fawzyi differs from Discoaster kugleri and Discoaster shumenkoi by having flaps at the end of the arms. Discoaster fawzyi is further distinguished from Discoaster shumenkoi by being symmetrical.

De Kaenel, E., Bergen, J. A., Browning, E., Blair, S. A. & Boesiger, T.M. 2017. Uppermost Oligocene to Middle Miocene Discoaster and Catinaster taxonomy and stratigraphy in the circum North Atlantic Basin, Gulf of Mexico and ODP Leg 154. Journal of Nannoplankton Research, 37 (2-3): 215–244.

Martini, E., Bramlette, M. N., 1963. Calcareous nannoplankton from the experimental Mohole drilling. Journal of Paleontology. 37(4), 845-855.

Varol, O. & Bowman, A. R. 2024. The New Middle Miocene Genus Olladiscoaster, and Related and Associated Discoasters. Grzybowski Foundation Special Publication, 28, 103 pp.