Miliolid

Miliolid refers to a subfamily of foraminifera, which are single-celled organisms belonging to the kingdom Protista. These microscopic marine protozoans are characterized by their unique shell, or test, which is typically composed of calcium carbonate. The Miliolidae subfamily is distinguished by its enrolled or coiled shell, which often appears to be made up of multiple chambers arranged in a distinctive pattern. This coiling can be in a single plane, such as planispiral, or in a more complex three-dimensional arrangement.

The chambers of miliolids are usually added in a specific sequence, with new chambers being added one after another in a curving manner. The aperture, the opening through which the organism extends its pseudopodia for feeding and locomotion, is often located at the end of the final chamber and may have a tooth-like projection. Miliolids are found in a wide range of marine environments, from shallow coastal waters to deeper oceanic sediments. They play a role in the marine ecosystem, with fossilized shells contributing to sediment composition and providing valuable information for paleoclimate studies. Common genera within the Miliolidae include Quinqueloculina and Triloculina, named for the number of visible chambers or the arrangement of the test.