Geo.Cro.2-3-61-KB.pdf 251 � Branko Sokač and Tonći Grgasović AB STRA CT In this paper a new species Salpingoporella tari n.sp. is established, found in a sample of Barremian intraclastic grainstone. It is similar to S. annulata (LORENZ) and S. grudii (RADOIČIĆ), but visibly more robust. It has few branches per whorl, and the whorls being spaced far apart. The branches are laterally compressed at their distal ends, therefore being vertically elongated. New fi nding of Salpingoporella cemi (RADOIČIĆ) gave the new data on the variability of the shape of its branches, and on the precise stratigraphic position of the investigated localities. Besides, Salpingoporella patruliusi BUCUR is illustrated, this being its fi rst fi nd outside Monti Apuseni (south Car- pathians) and its geographic range thus encompassing also the Dinarides. Also, a large observed number of speci- mens of Salpingoporella muehlbergii (LORENZ) with ramifi ed thallus makes that feature both its species-specifi c and generic characteristic. Quite strongly varying values of various biometric parameters, depending on the position on the thallus in one and the same specimen, raises serious questions as to their reliability and usefulness as a distin- guishing factor in comparing both the specimens of one and the same species and of species of the same genus. Keywor ds: Dasycladales, Salpingoporella, taxonomy, biogeography, Lower Cretaceous, Dinarides, Croatia Croatian Geological Survey, Sachsova 2, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (tgrgasovic@hgi-cgs.hr) On some Salpingoporella species from the Lower Cretaceous of Dinaric karst Geologia Croatica 61/2–3 251–271 1 Fig. 1 Tab. 7 Pls. Zagreb 2008 Geologia CroaticaGeologia Croatica � 1. INTRODUCTION In the course of investigations carried out by the Croatian Geo- logical Survey within the frames of various scientifi c and eco- nomic assignments in the area of the Dinaric Karst in Croatia, samples for micropalaeontological analyses are also being col- lected. Sporadic fi nds of abundant algal remains enable detailed specialized research, directed to more detailed stratigraphic po- sitioning and analysis, better knowledge of biogeographic dis- tribution, grouping of characteristic fossil assemblages, and es- tablishing new taxa or emendation of the existing ones, respectively. This is also the purpose of this paper. We shall analyse some species of the dasyclad genus Salpingoporella: establish a new species S. tari, describe and illustrate S. cemi (RADOIČIĆ) and S. patruliusi BUCUR, and report on abun- dant fi nds of S. muehlbergii showing branching thallus. 2. DESCRIPTION OF ALGAL TAXA Salpingoporella cemi (RADOIČIĆ, 1968) RADOIČIĆ, 1975 (Pls. I–II; Pl. III, Figs. 1–8) 1968 Pianella cemi n. sp. – RADOIČIĆ, p. 189, pls. 9–11 1975 Salpingoporella cemi (RADOIČIĆ) – RADOIČIĆ, p. 277 2006 Salpingoporella cemi (RADOIČIĆ) – CARRAS, CON- RAD & RADOIČIĆ, p. 469 (complete synonymy), pl. II, fi gs. 1–5 The species was originally described as Pianella cemi n. sp. (RADOIČIĆ, 1968). Later RADOIČIĆ (1975) designated the lectotype and transferred species to the genus Salpin- goporella. This alga has not been known from the area of the Dinaric Karst in Croatia, and with the new fi ndings in the Lim- Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 61/2–3 252 ska Draga (West Istria) and Biokovo Mt. (Dalmatia) the know- ledge of Upper Neokomian microfossil association in this area is improved. Some new data can be added on the previous descriptions of this species. Cylindrical, unramifi ed, thallus is character- ized by thick walls built of mosaic calcite derived by hetero- axial transformation of, probably, primary aragonitic skeleton. Along the margins of the skeleton tiny, short-prismatic, calcite crystals are developed, whereas the remainder of the skeleton is fi lled up with middle- to coarse-grained mosaic calcite ce- ment. Skeletal walls are delineated with very thin micritic lin- ing of constant thickness. Inner surface of skeleton is even and smooth. Outer surface of skeleton was originally, probably, also smooth, but in the thin sections available it is secondar- ily eroded and only fragmentarily preserved in individual sec- tions (Pl. I, Fig. 2; Pl. II, Figs. 4–6, 8). It is generally charac- terized by open pores of distally widened branches (Pl. I, Figs. 5, 7; Pl. II, Figs. 4, 6). Central cavity usually occupies 25–30% of the total diameter. Salpingoporella cemi is characterized by simple, comparatively large, phloiophorous branches with vis- ibly widened distal ends, arranged in clear whorls and with alternating position in consecutive whorls (Pl. I, Fig. 4). Though being generally of the phloiophorous shape, when comparing the sections of several individuals, the branches show a vari- ation in their shapes, due to either a more or less regular grad- ual widening towards the distal ends (Pl. I, Fig. 3; Pl. II, Figs. 2, 6–7; Pl. III, Figs. 2, 3, 5–7), or an abrupt widening in the distal third of their length (Pl. I, Figs. 7, 8; Pl. II, Fig. 24; Pl. III, Fig. 2) that may sometimes come nearer to the vesiculif- erous type. In the relation to the longitudinal axis, the branches are subhorizontal or slightly directed upwards, as was already stated in original description of this species (RADOIČIĆ, 1968). One confusing specimen from this article (RADOIČIĆ, 1968, pl. IX, fi g. 6) suggest the articulation (annulation) of the skeleton, while particular branches suggest metaspondility (?), so it may be interpreted as species Falsolikanella danilovae (RADOIČIĆ). Sporadic occurrence of rather unclear rounded structures within the distal widenings of the branches (Pl. II, Figs. 8–9; Pl. III, Figs. 1, 5) may indicate the existence of cysts, where- upon the species should belong to the cladosporous type of the dasycladal algae (family Triploporellaceae). Dimensions in mm (n = 26): Outer thallus diameter (D) 0.92–1.68 Inner thallus diameter (d) 0.34–0.64 Relation d/D 0.243–0.452 Length of branches (l) 0.30–0.54 Proximal diameter of branches (pp) 0.05–0.10 Distal diameter of branches (pd) 0.12–0.39 Distance between neighboring whorls (h) 0.12–0.20 Number of branches per whorl (w) 10–14 Salpingoporella cemi (RADOIČIĆ) seems to be less com- on then other species of this genus. New fi ndings comprise few specimens from Limska Draga and island Mljet, and large number of well preserved specimens in sample KJ-8 from the Biokovo Mt. All these fi nds come from the same stratigraphic level: terminal part of the Neocomian deposits. This conclu- sion is based upon the monitoring of occurrences and disap- pearances of particular species in the accompanying as semb- lage. Biokovo Mt. locality is an outcrop located on the cut-off of mountain road leading to Sv. Jure peak (1762 m), described in detail by SOKAČ (2007). The sample with S. cemi contains also numerous Humiella catenaeformis (RADOIČIĆ) and Cly- peina? solkani CONRAD & RADOIČIĆ (Pl. III, Fig. 9), to- gether with rare Salpingoporella annulata (LORENZ). This assemblage is also characterized by the fi rst occurrence of the signifi cant foraminiferal species Campanelulla capuensis DE CASTRO, which has a fairly well defi ned Upper Hauterivian – Lower Barremian stratigraphical range. According to our present knowledge, whereas H. catenaeformis and S. annu- lata do not exceed the Hauterivian-Barremian boundary in the Dinarides, the fi rst occurrence of C. capuensis falls into the Upper Hauterivian, and thus the position of the KJ-8 sample may be reliably defi ned as Upper Hauterivian. An almost iden- tical assemblage, lacking only H. catenaeformis (which, so far, does not seem to occur in the NW Dinarides) but enriched with Falsolikanella danilovae (RADOIČIĆ) occurs in the Lim- ska Draga samples (L-77 and L-78), just below a short lasting emersion which marks the Neocomian-Barremian boundary. At described localities fi ndings of S. cemi lie bellow the fi rst appearance of Salpingoporella melitae RADOIČIĆ. Salpingoporella tari n. sp. (Pl. IV) Derivation of name: The species has been named after the cove and village Tar in west Istria, where the sample with that alga has been collected during a reconnaissance campaign. Type locality: Istria, south-southwest of the village Tar, on the road toward the Nova Vas (Fig. 1). Geographic coor- dinates are: x = 5016.701 (λ=45°17’11“), y = 5391.911 (φ= 13°37’19“). The sample-yielding outcrops were situated in an excavati- on for water pipes along the road, but small isolated and kar sti- fi ed outcrops can also be found in the surroundings, scattered within plowed fi elds. Outcrops are characterized by stroma- tolitic and grain-supported intra-pelsparitic limestones with algal fragments. The algal bearing microfacies is an intraclas- tic-algal grainstone. Algae can be found also within the grains. The sedimentary environment may be interpreted as shallow subtidal with slow carbonate deposition. Holotype: Longitudinal-tangential section fi gured in Pl. IV, Fig. 3, thin section TAR-1. Isotypes are illustrated by oth- er, variously oriented, sections, fi gured in the same plate (Pl. IV). The type material is stored at the authors’ collection in the Croatian Geological Survey. Five thin sections have been made of one sample. Diagnosis: Alga has relatively robust cylindrical skeleton, made from mosaic calcite. It is characterised by pronounc- edly spaced whorls of phloiophorous branches. Branches are laterally compressed in distal part that resulted in their vertical elongation and makes vertical and horizontal cross-sections of branches signifi cantly different. In the horizontal cross -sec- Geologia CroaticaBranko Sokač and Tonći Grgasović: On some Salpingoporella species from the Lower Cretaceous of Dinaric karst 253 tion, branches by their exit from the central cavity gradually and regularly widen. In longitudinal and parts of oblique sec- tions, depends of the section plane, after the fi rst third or half of their length, branches more or less abruptly widen, attain- ing funnel-like shape. At the outer surface upper and lower edges of vertically elongated branches are in mutual contact that, in respect to the size of pores, favours destruction of the surface of calcareous envelope. Dimensions in mm (n = 12): Outer thallus diameter (D) 0.58–0.88 Inner thallus diameter (d) 0.15–0.38 Relation d/D 0.259–0.438 Distance between neighbouring whorls (h) 0.24–0.40 Length of branches (l) 0.24–0.30 Proximal diameter of branches (pp) 0.04–0.10 Distal diameter of branches in horizontal section (pdh) 0.10–0.12 Distal diameter of branches in vertical section (pdv) 0.15–0.38 Number of branches per whorl (w) 8–12 Description: Comparatively small cylindrical skeleton is built up of medium-grained mosaic calcite with a thin mic- ritic margin. Outer surface of skeleton is originally characteriz- ed by large cavities of branches’ pores, but is often additionally uneven due to destruction of partitions between distal parts of pores and diagenetic processes. The inner surface is deline- ated by an even, sometimes slightly wavy, thin line, perhaps indicating sporadic constrictions and swellings of the main cell (Pl. IV, Figs. 3–5, 9). Beside the visible variation of the inner diameter (d), the difference between the smallest and the largest value of the d/D relation may be due to the varying outer diameter (D), as a result of a more or less progressing destruction of the outer surface. Typical phloiophorous, comparatively large, branches are arranged into regular, clearly separated whorls (Pl. IV, Figs. 1, 3, 6, 9–10). Going outwards from the main cell toward the outer part of the thallus, where they are laterally compressed and vertically elongated, the branches widen up irregularly. Because of that, the shape of their pores within the skeleton is different in horizontal section from that in vertical section. In transverse sections, going outwards from the central cavity, they widen slowly, gradually, and in a relatively regular man- ner (Plate IV, Figs. 21–25). In longitudinal oblique sections, depending on the plane of sectioning, they appear generally funnel-shaped, and the abruptly widen after the fi rst third or about the half of their total length (Pl. IV, Figs. 3–4, 7, 12–13, 20). The arrangement of pores of the consecutive whorls, as well as their possible mutual touching on the outer surface, cannot be clearly seen. A few oblique sections passing into the tangential ones (Pl. IV, Figs. 9, 11, 15) reveal the true shape of the branches, showing the circular transverse section in their proximal part whereas more distally they become laterally com pressed and vertically elongated, giving, in transverse sec- tions, a shape of a vertical rectangle with rounded edges. The branches in neighboring whorls probably stayed one above the other, very closely or even touching each other, as indi- cated in oblique (Pl. IV, Figs. 3–4, 7) and tangential sections (Pl. IV, Figs. 6, 9, 15). Similarities and differences: S. tari n. sp. belongs to that group of not numerous Salpingoporella species that are char- acterized by vertically fl attened and elongated distal part of the branches, due to their being horizontally compressed. By its general characteristics, S. tari n. sp. is most similar to S. annulata CAROZZI and S. grudii (RADOIČIĆ). With regard to S. annulata (CAROZZI, 1953), the new species is considerably larger, contains less branches per whorl (8–12, most frequently 8–10), and has distinctly more spaced out whorls. The new species lacks pseudoannulation, men- Fi gu re 1: A) General position of the type locality of Salpingoporella tari n. sp. B) Simplifi ed topographic map of the type locality. Arrow point to the outcrop of sample TAR–1. Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 61/2–3 254 PLATE I Salpingoporella cemi (RADOIČIĆ, 1968) RADOIČIĆ, 1975; x34 1 Fragment of tangential section, KJ-8/4. 2–9 Diff erent oblique sections. Fig. 2, KJ-8/2; Figs. 4–5, 7, KJ-8/1; Fig. 6, KJ-8/10; Fig. 8, KJ-8/5; Fig. 9, KJ-8/9. Geologia CroaticaBranko Sokač and Tonći Grgasović: On some Salpingoporella species from the Lower Cretaceous of Dinaric karst 255 Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 61/2–3 256 PLATE II Salpingoporella cemi (RADOIČIĆ, 1968) RADOIČIĆ, 1975; x34 1–5, 9 Diff erent oblique sections. Fig. 1, KJ-8/8; Fig. 2, KJ-8/13; Fig. 3, KJ-8/12; Fig. 4, KJ-8/7; Fig. 5, KJ-8/11; Fig. 9, KJ- 8/16. 6–8 Transverse sections. Figs. 6–7, KJ-8/18; Fig. 8, KJ-8/17. Geologia CroaticaBranko Sokač and Tonći Grgasović: On some Salpingoporella species from the Lower Cretaceous of Dinaric karst 257 Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 61/2–3 258 PLATE III 1–8 Salpingoporella cemi (RADOIČIĆ, 1968) RADOIČIĆ, 1975; x34 1 Fragment of tangential section, KJ-8/15. 2–4, 7–8 Diff erent oblique sections. Figs. 2–3, KJ-8/16; Fig. 4, L-77/7; Figs. 7–8, L-77. 5–6 Transverse sections. Fig. 5, L-77/3; Fig. 6, L-77/2. 9 Clypeina? solkani CONRAD & RADOIČIĆ, 1971 9 Oblique section, KJ-8/12, x34. Geologia CroaticaBranko Sokač and Tonći Grgasović: On some Salpingoporella species from the Lower Cretaceous of Dinaric karst 259 Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 61/2–3 260 PLATE IV Salpingoporella tari n.sp.; x32 1,7, 9–11, 13, 16–19 Diff erent oblique sections. Figs. 1, 9, 17–19, TAR-1; Fig. 4, 7, 11, 13, 16, TAR-1/3; Fig. 10, TAR-1/4. 2–4 Longitudinal-oblique sections. Holotype on Fig. 3, TAR-1. Fig. 2, TAR-1/4, Fig. 4, TAR-1/3. 5, 8, 12, 20 Longitudinal sections. Fig. 5, TAR-1/4; Fig. 8, TAR-1; Fig. 12, TAR-1/2; Fig. 20, TAR-1/1. 6, 14 Oblique-tangential sections. Fig. 6, TAR-1/1; Fig. 14, TAR-1/3. 15 Fragment of tangential section, TAR-1. 21–25 Transverse sections. Fig. 21, TAR-1/4, Fig. 22, TAR-1/1; Figs. 23–24, TAR-1/2; Fig. 25, TAR-1/13. Geologia CroaticaBranko Sokač and Tonći Grgasović: On some Salpingoporella species from the Lower Cretaceous of Dinaric karst 261 Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 61/2–3 262 tioned in S. annulata. In S. annulata, the branches are very thin in their proximal part, as distinct from S. tari in which they are larger and, in horizontal section, uniformly broaden toward outer ends. Because of S. grudii being very similar to S. annulata (possible synonym), the differences to S. annu- lata apply also to S. grudii (RADOIČIĆ, 1962). With regard to S. croatica SOKAČ, which, according to our opinion, can- not be considered synonymous with S. annulata as proposed by CARRAS et al. (2006), the new species differs by very dif- ferent shape of the branches. In S. tari, the distal ends of the branches are laterally compressed and vertically elongated, whereas in S. croatica the branches widen relatively uniform- ly toward exterior, somewhat more strongly only in the very distal parts (SOKAČ, 1992, pl. I, fi gs. 18, 21), thus giving a more or less circular shape of the pores in tangential sections (SOKAČ, 1992, pl. II, fi g. 1). There exists also some similarity in oblique and longitu- dinal sections between the new species and S. biokoviensis SOKAČ & VELIĆ. The difference exists in the shape of the branches, which in S. biokoviensis gradually and uniformly become wider in both horizontal and vertical sections, result- ing in more or less quadrangular pores in tangential sections (SOKAČ & VELIĆ, 1980), as distinct from S. tari, where the pores are only laterally compressed, thus gradually widening only in transverse sections, and abruptly widen in transversal sections. There is a confusing similarity, but oly in cross sections, with Clypeina? solkani CONRAD & RADOIČIĆ, while in oblique and logitudinal sections the difference is obvious. Cly- peina? solkani has articulated thallus and uniformly widened branches, in contrary to S. tari n. sp. that has simple cylindri- cal thallus and pronounced widening and vertical elongation of the branches. Stratigraphic position: Salpingoporella tari n. sp. comes from a randomly collected sample, which, except for numer- ous variously oriented sections of that alga, did not contain any other fossil remains, which would possibly have enabled a direct determination of its stratigraphical position. Therefore we have analysed the fossil contents of the samples coming from isolated and scattered neighboring outcrops, which, how- ever, cannot give reliable indications of the precise stratigraph- ic position of the sample analysed. There are some outcrops of stromatolitic and pelsparitic limestones not very far apart that yielded Salpingoporella melitae RADOIČIĆ, followed by locally heavily limonitized skeletal biosparites and these, in turn, being probably overlain by Bacinella biomicrites which, in the sequence, contain also rare Palorbitolina lenticularis (BLUMENBACH). Generally, the distribution of outcrops in the surrounding area and their rather scarce fossil content in- dicate the statigraphic position of that species as being possi- bly Upper Barremian. In Istria, the transition to the Aptian is characterized by a change in depositional system, with sudden regional deepening of sedimentary environment and sedimenta- tion of thick-bedded and massive Bacinella-fl oatstones, known as “Yellow Istrian” (“Giallo d’Istria”) architectural-building stone (VELIĆ et al., 1989, 2003; VLAHOVIĆ et al., 2003). Salpingoporella patruliusi BUCUR, 1985 (Pl. V; Pl. VI, Figs. 1–4) 1985 Salpingoporella patruliusi n. sp. – BUCUR, p. 81–84, text-fi g. 1, pls. I–III 1992 Salpingoporella patruliusi BUCUR, 1985 – BUCUR, p. 449–450, text-fi g. 1 1999 Salpingoporella patruliusi BUCUR – BUCUR, pl. II, fi gs. 1–10 2001 Salpingoporella patruliusi BUCUR – POP & BUCUR, pl. VIII, fi g. 9 2001 Salpingoporella patruliusi BUCUR – BUCUR & CO- CIUBA, p. 122, pl. 2, fi gs. 1–3 2007 Salpingoporella patruliusi BUCUR – SOKAČ, p. 84, pl. III, fi gs. 1–3 This species was validly described and well illustrated, accompanied also by a graphic reconstruction, by BUCUR (1985, text-fi g. 1, pls. I–III,). A renewed description with il- lustrations has also been published by BUCUR (1992). Ac- cording to the original diagnosis (BUCUR, 1985), the species is characterized by relatively large cylindrical thallus, unbranch- ed and unsegmented, with a narrow stipe, and phloiophorous branches arranged in alternating whorls. The branches are tilt- ed with respect to the stipe and are surrounded by a relatively thick calcareous sheath. In their distal portion the branches are compressed, showing a rhombic, less commonly polygonal outline. Calcifi cation around branches gives an outline of rel- atively thick envelope bordered by a thin micritic line. Termi- nal parts of branches are not calcifi ed. So far, this species has been known only from the region of Monti Apuseni (southern Carpathians) and thus, this being its fi rst fi nd outside the area mentioned, it represent a broad- ening of its are of distribution into the Dinarides. In our mate- rial, the species is present, though by not numerous sections, in an otherwise rich algal assemblage in the sample KJ-18, which has already been mentioned several times previously (SOKAČ, 2004, 2005; SOKAČ & GRGASOVIĆ, 2004). The Dinaridic specimens (Pl. V; Pl. VI, 1–4) do not show any new remarkable characteristics. The thick calcareous sheath, en- veloping the branches as mentioned by BUCUR (1985), com- posed of sparite and surrounded by a darker line of micrite, is hardly distinguishable and present in only a few specimens (Pl. V, Fig. 4; Pl. VI, Fig. 4). One gain an impression, that this sporadically present feature, as a possible consequence of quicker or slower calcifi cation spreading out from the rim of the branch membrane into the space between the branches, is not always fully completed leaving the remaining space to be subsequently fi lled up by micrite. The here illustrated specimens from Mt. Biokovo are in general somewhat larger, thus having somewhat larger values of biometric parameters in relation to those from the type lo- cality (Table 1). These differences in dimensions appear not important and seem to be well within the presumed variation range, when comparing specimens coming from localities sit- uated so far apart from each other. Beside the sections that can be reliably ascribed to S. pat- ruliusi BUCUR, we have noticed several transverse sections Geologia CroaticaBranko Sokač and Tonći Grgasović: On some Salpingoporella species from the Lower Cretaceous of Dinaric karst 263 (Pl. VI, Figs. 5–8) which, in spite of some similarities with S. patruliusi, clearly differ from it. Because of their scarcity and poor preservation we found it useful to enumerate some of their characteristics similar to S. patruliusi: narrow central cavity in relation to relatively large value of the outer diam- eter, clearly euspondyle (verticillate) arrangement of phloio- phorous branches, very clearly expressed distal broadening of the branches, two or three rows of pores in the same plane of section with their diameters increasing going towards the out- er rim. Such arrangement of pores, with their maximum wid- ening in the outermost circle, which corresponds to one of the lower whorls, is indicative of small distance between neigh- boring whorls and oblique position of branches, declining from the longitudinal growth axis under an angle of 30–40° and possible downwards bending in the peripheral part. With regard to S. patruliusi, there are more branches per whorl, which, in the available sections, can reasonably be estimated at 20–30. Based on the features defi ned and supposed above, these sections can be ascribed, with necessary caution, to an as yet undescribed Salpingoporella form. In spite of several unknowns, illustrations of that species can perhaps be useful as being indicative of the stratigraphic position of deposits with such remains in cases of new fi nds without better strati- graphic indicators. Stratigraphic position: In the original description (BU- CUR, 1985), the stratigraphic position of S. patruliusi is de- fi ned as being in the lower level of the Pachyodont limestone, whose total range is Barremian – Lower Aptian. In a later re- port and illustration (POP & BUCUR, 2001), the species is mentioned in the assemblage whose stratigraphic position is more reliably defi ned by Palaeodictyoconus arabicus as Up- per Barremian. The stratigraphic position and lithological cha- racteristics of the algal-bearing deposits which yielded the al- gal-rich sample KJ-18 from Mt. Biokovo have been reported and discussed in earlier papers (SOKAČ, 2004, 2005, 2007; SOKAČ & GRGASOVIĆ, 2004; TIŠLJAR et al., 2002). Ac- cording to all data available so far, based on the rich fossil as- semblage from the same sample, this fi nd, too, can be defi ned as Upper Barremian. Salpingoporella muehlbergii (LORENZ, 1902) PIA, 1918 (Pl. VI, Figs. 9–11; Pl. VII) The type species of the genus Salpingoporella, found at nu- merous localities in the Perrimediterranean region, in the Di- narides is regularly present in the more or less rich algal as- semblage whose range is within the Barremian. The renewed description of that species, along with the emendation of the genus Salpingoporella, has been given by CONRAD (1970), and once more, very succinctly, by BASSOULLET et al. (1978). In those descriptions, an unramifi ed and unsegmented thallus was emphasized as one of the main characteristics. SOKAČ (1996, pl. I, fi g. 6), however, fi gured one section of a branch- ing thallus of that species, and several more branching thalli of Salpingoporella dinarica RADOIČIĆ, and, based on that, proposed an amendment of the generic diagnosis, including the ramifi ed thallus. CARRAS et al. (2006), both in their am- end ment of the generic diagnosis and in the description of S. muehlbergii (LORENZ), not mentioned that feature. In dis- cussing the generic diagnosis, they stated that the exception- ally observed ramifi ed thallus in S. dinarica and S. muehlber- gii, among many normal specimens (cylindrical tubes), may be teratogenous or result of a wound. Disregarding the fre- quency and the cause, the observed ramifying thallus in the type species, as a subsequently established feature, should be included in the generic characteristics. Today it appears quite unbelievable that the fi rst fi nd of a ramifi ed thallus in the type species came only after its numer- ous fi nds and more than centennial presence in the literature and, moreover, to be recorded by just one section. Therefore we continued to record its fi nds, directing our research onto samples exceptionally rich with its sections and trying to fi nd new and more numerous specimens with branched thallus. Several new sections, though, admittedly, still not very numer- ous in relations to the number of thin sections available (250), were found and reported in the previously mentioned sample KJ-18 (SOKAČ, 2004, 2005; SOKAČ & GRGASOVIĆ, 2004). The new sections show without any doubt the presence of rami- fi ed thalli in S. muehlbergii and open the possibility of rede- fi ning the values of the biometric parameters and their relia- bility in the comparative analysis, which was the prime goal of this discussion anyway. Dimensions in mm (n = 11): In the lower part of the thallus, below the branching: D = 0.53–1.06 d = 0.28–0.76 d/D =0.514–0.843 In the lower part of the branched parts of thallus: D’ = 0.36–0.76 D’ = 0.16–0.24 d/D = 0.230–0.555 The fact that a comparatively small number of visibly ra- mifi ed thalli has been observed, as well as their long-lasting absence from the literature, cannot be taken as a proof of their being an exceptionally rare feature in that alga, but, rather, as a result of random sectioning, representing always only one plane of section. In spite of a comparatively small number of suitable sections, in which the outer and inner diameters of both the unbranched and the branching part of the thallus can be measured in one specimen, the mentioned values are twice as large in the unramifi ed part of the thallus (D, d) than in the Table 1: Comparison of biometrical parameters of specimens S. patruliusi BUCUR originating from the type locality in Monti Apuseni and of those from Mt. Biokovo (n = 11). Dimensions are in mm. Locality L D d d/D h l l pl w α Apuseni 5.12 1.10–2.30 0.11–0.24 0.10–0.24 0.22–0.28 0.56–1.00 0.16–0.31 0.040–0.78 7–9 25–35 Biokovo 8.9 1.26–2.66 0.40–0.85 0.182–0.354 0.20–0.24 0.74–1.24 0.24–0.44 0.09–0.15 9–14 20–40 Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 61/2–3 264 PLATE V Salpingoporella patruliusi BUCUR, 1985 1 Tangential-longitudinal section. KJ-18/1, x17. 2 Tangential-oblique section. KJ-18/39, x14. 3 Longitudinal section. KJ-18/150, x22. 4–6 Oblique-tangential sections. Fig. 4, KJ-18/91; Fig. 5, KJ-18/57; Fig. 6, KJ-18/159; x22. Geologia CroaticaBranko Sokač and Tonći Grgasović: On some Salpingoporella species from the Lower Cretaceous of Dinaric karst 265 Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 61/2–3 266 PLATE VI 1–4 Salpingoporella patruliusi BUCUR, 1985 1 Oblique section. KJ-18/62, x17 2–4 Transverse sections. Fig. 2, KJ-18/39; Fig. 3, KJ-18/19; Fig. 4, KJ-18/160; x22 5–8 ?Salpingoporella sp. 5–8 Transverse sections. Fig. 5, KJ-18/1, x22; Fig. 6, KJ-18/1, x17; Fig. 7, KJ-18/28; x22; Fig. 8, KJ-18/30, x22 9–11 Salpingoporella muehlbergii (LORENZ) with ramifi ed thallus 9 Oblique section. KJ-18/30, x34 10–11 Longitudinal sections of secondary branches of the thallus. Fig. 10, KJ-18/9; Fig. 11, KJ-18/5; x22. Geologia CroaticaBranko Sokač and Tonći Grgasović: On some Salpingoporella species from the Lower Cretaceous of Dinaric karst 267 Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 61/2–3 268 PLATE VII Salpingoporella muehlbergii (LORENZ, 1902) with ramifi ed thallus, x22 1–9 Diff erent sections of ramifi ed thalus, partly only secondary branches of the thallus (Figs. 5, 6). Fig. 1, KJ-18/18; Fig. 2, KJ-18/54; Fig. 3–4, KJ-18/1; Fig. 5, KJ-18/30; Fig. 6, KJ-18/5; Fig. 7, KJ-18/175; Fig. 9, KJ-18/28. Geologia CroaticaBranko Sokač and Tonći Grgasović: On some Salpingoporella species from the Lower Cretaceous of Dinaric karst 269 Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 61/2–3 270 ramifi ed part (D’, d’). This suggests the possibility that differ- ent dimensions of identically oriented sections in the same sample do not, at least partly, refl ect varying dimensions be- tween different specimens, but are taken at different places in more-less equally large specimens. Further on, the frequently encountered wildly differing D and d values of similarly orient- ed sections in the same sample makes us believe that ramifi ed thalli are in fact much more frequent than could be concluded from a few sections where the branching is clearly visible. An additional confusion into analysis and discussion of biometric parameters and their comparison is brought in by compara- tively numerous sections with distinctly small values, which we suppose derive from top parts of the branches, in which, of course, their thinning towards the top is refl ected in both smaller D and d (or, to be more precise, D’ and d’) values and the reduced thickness of the calcareous envelope (SOKAČ, 1996, pl. I, fi g. 4; this paper Pl. VI, Figs. 10–11, Pl. VII, Fig. 6), which, then, also gives different values for some other pa- rameters (l, p). From all that has been mentioned above, it can be con- cluded that the application of comparative analysis of biomet- rical parameters in fossil dasyclad algae, especially in the ge- nus Salpingoporella, leaves open a lot of uncertainties and open questions and therefore requires caution in bringing out conclusions. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The samples used for analysis in this paper were collected during geological investigations in western Istria and south Dalmatia. In the fi eld work, numerous colleagues were involved, to whom we express our thanks, particularly to Ivo Velić, who also helped us by identify- ing accompanying foraminiferal assemblages and to Igor Vlahović and Josip Tišljar. 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