Linoporella vesiculifera n.sp., A new calcareous alga (Dasycladales) from the Upper Barremian of Mt. Biokovo (Karst Dinarides, Croatia)

Abstract

According to all the main characteristics, the new species belongs to the genus Linoporella. At the species-specific level, Linoporella vesiculifera n.sp. is characterized by visibly widened distal ends of the secondary branches, which gives a vesiculiferous appearance to the outer surface of the thallus. The distal widenings are spherically or conically shaped and open outwards in a funnel-like form. A short review of the taxonomic validation of some Linoporella species is also given. The new species is derived from the Barremian deposits of Mt Biokovo (central Dalmatia, Croatia).