Azorica pfeifferae

Figure 1 - Azorica pfeifferae. Alemannia, Höver.

Figure 2 - Azorica pfeifferae. Alemannia, Höver.
Same specimen as in Figure 1.

Figure 3 - Azorica pfeifferae. Alemannia, Höver.

Synonyms:

none

Occurence:

Alemannia, Höver, Lower Campanian (senonensis zone). Very rare.

To the author's knowledge, Azorica species have not been reported from German localities previously. Presently, only two specimens from Höver (Figures 1 through 3), tentatively identified as Azorica pfeifferae, are known.

Macroscopically, the two specimens show typical features of Azorica pfeifferae, consisting of complex clusters of convoluted flabellate funnels. The walls are 5 to 7 mm thick, with rounded rims.

Figure 4 - Azorica pfeifferae. Alemannia, Höver.
Inhalent surface.

Figure 5 - Azorica pfeifferae. Alemannia, Höver.
Exhalent surface.

Figure 4 shows the inhalent (dermal) surface with densely crowded, pinhole-like ostia, approximately half a millimeter wide.

Figure 5 shows the gastral surface with scattered postica, slightly larger than the inhalent pores. Near the funnel centers the postica are flush with the surface and show a vague tendency to align in radial rows, while near the funnel rims radial furrows with recessed postica are more or less prominent.

Figure 6 - Azorica pfeifferae. Alemannia, Höver.
Rhizoclone skeleton with two aporhyses.

Figure 7 - Azorica pfeifferae. Alemannia, Höver.

The skeleton of Azorica pfeifferae is composed of rhizoclones, as shown in Figure 6. Figure 7 contains a collection of isolated rhizoclones.