New dinoflagellate cyst genera from the recent sediments of the Persian Gulf

Abstract

Five species of Peridinium-type dinoflagellate cysts are described from sediment samples from the Persian Gulf and the Northern Arabian Sea. A dual classification system, as outlined by Reid (1974) and Sarjeant and Downie (1974), has been followed. These cysts are assignable, using cyst nomenclature, to four new genera: Stelladinium nov.; Leipokatium nov.; Multispinula nov.; and Omanodinium nov. The five new species are S. reidii sp. nov.; L. invisitatum sp. nov.; M. quanta sp. nov.; O. alticinctum sp. nov.; and O. tholus sp. nov. All genera have been attributed to the family Phthanoperidiniaceae Drugg and Loeblich, 1967 emend. nov.