A high-resolution biostratigraphic study of Eocene calcareous nannofossils from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 122 Hole 762C (Exmouth Plateau, western Australian shelf) has identified a new nannofossil species, Sphenolithus perpendicularis sp. nov. This species bears a double apical spine, similar to both S. furcatolithoides and S. capricornutus, but is distinguished by both optical properties and stratigraphic range. The range and distribution of S. perpendicularis sp. nov. is limited to nannofossil zone CP13a (equivalent to NP15a) at Hole 762C, and verified in sediments from Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 77 Hole 538A and ODP Leg 159 Hole 960A. This suggests both a global distribution and a reasonably synchronous stratigraphic range. The optical properties and stratigraphic range of S. perpendicularis sp. nov. may suggest a taxonomic relationship to the S. anarrhopus-editus-spiniger lineage. This new species, in conjunction with S. furcatolithoides and S. cuniculus, may provide an alternate means for subdividing nannofossil zone CP13 (NP15).

West: -85.2738 East: 112.1515 North: 23.5059 South: -19.5315

Expedition: 122

Site: 122-762

Expedition: 159

Site: 159-960

Expedition: 77

Site: 77-538

Includes appendix

Provider: SEDIS Publication Catalogue

Data set link: http://sedis.iodp.org/pub-catalogue/index.php?id=2011-019176 (c.f. for more detailed metadata)

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