Nannotax Enabling nannofossil research

Description: typical form is a moderately elevated sphenolith with cuspate outline and with extinction line going dow long axis of spine.

Remarks: Similar to S. moriformis but more elevated and with cuspate outline. Form becomes less distinct with poor preservation. The classic S. abies formis distinctive and does not occur in the Early Miocene but consistent separation from S. moriformis is difficult

Range: NN7? to 15.

Variants:

• S. grandis Haq and Berggren, 1978 - large form;
• S. neoabies Bukry and Bramlette, 1969 - small form;
• S. verensis Backman, 1978 - slight elongations of elements;
• S. quadrispinatus Perch-Nielsen, 1980 - form with 4 elements elongated into spines, very rare.