Taxonomic re-evaluation of the Permian radiolarian genus Longtanella Sheng and Wang (Follicucullidae, Albaillellaria)

Abstract

This article re-evaluates the taxonomy of the radiolarian genus Longtanella Sheng and Wang, based on materials obtained from the Guadalupian (Permian) Gufeng Formation in Anhui, China. This leads to the improved description of two previously introduced species (L. zhengpanshanensis and L. turgida) and the documentation of two additional morphotypes left in open nomenclature (L. sp. A and L. sp. B). Based on the new observations and measurements of Longtanella specimens and co-occurring species of Parafollicucullus Holdsworth and Jones, Longtanella differs from Parafollicucullus by having a turriform, slightly bent test and lacking a clear wing or pseudothorax.