Evidence from Recent Plankton Regarding the Biological Affinities of Tasmanites Newton 1875 and Leiosphaeridia Eisenack 1958

Abstract

AbstractFollowing a bricf survey of previous literature concerning microfossils of the genera Tasmanites Newton 1875 and Leiosphaeridia Eisenack 1958 (generally known as leiospheres), two present day green algae are described (Pachysphaera pelagica Ostenfeld 1899 and Halosphaera minor Ostenfeld 1899). These organisms are compared with members of the fossil genera reviewed above and on the basis of this comparison it is concluded that the biological affinities of Tasmanites and some species of Leiosphaeridia lie with the Chlorophyceae. A possible mode of life is suggested for the fossils and the systematic position of the genera Tasmanites and Leiosphaeridia is reviewed but not altered.