Abiottiselles

Abiottiselles is a genus of marine microfossils described from late Paleogene to early Neogene shallow-water deposits in the fictional Abiotta Basin. The genus is characterized by small, disc-shaped tests with a perforated outer wall and a radial ornament pattern. The type species, Abiottiselles marina, anchors the genus and provides the standard reference morphology for comparisons with related forms.

Discovery and naming

Abiottiselles was introduced by researchers studying calcareous and siliceous microfossil assemblages in the Abiotta Formation. The name combines the locality element Abiotta with the diminutive suffix -elles, highlighting the small size of the tests. Subsequent expeditions have identified several additional species within the same genus, expanding the apparent diversity of the group.

Description and morphology

Individual specimens measure roughly 0.25 to 0.6 millimeters in diameter. The tests are discoid to circular, with a porous wall and a central area that may bear a simple pore or a network of shallow indentations. Surface ornamentation often includes radial ribs or fine pustules. Internal architecture shows a single chamber with a lightly calcified boundary, consistent with fragile preservation in the available samples.

Ecology and distribution

Fossils are found in temperate to subtropical shelf deposits, suggesting a shallow-water, possibly planktonic habitat. The morphology implies a filter-feeding lifestyle, though exact ecological correlations remain debated due to preservation limits and the lack of soft-tissue data.

Taxonomy and interpretation

Abiottiselles sits among enigmatic microfossils whose precise placement remains debated. Some researchers compare its test structure to other small calcareous or siliceous microfossils, while others consider convergent diagenetic forms. The group is important for biostratigraphy in studied sequences and continues to attract imaging-based investigations to resolve its affinities.