A Givetian tintinnid-like palynomorph from Libya

Bulk maceration of Givetian palynological samples from the A1-69 borehole drilled in the Ghadamis Basin, western Libya, yielded intriguing, very large, acid-resistant palynomorphs that are described here. The palynomorphs come from a horizon containing also abundant large megaspores and the enigmatic 'mega-acritarchs' Vanguestainidium cucurbitulum Steemans et al. 2009. The former are vase shaped; they include an open mesh structure; their size is about 1,500 µm in length. Their shape and general appearance are tentatively compared with those of tintinnids, extant ciliate protozoans characterised by an organic lorica. There is a paucity of literature describing and detailing fossilised tintinnids. They will nonetheless be, the oldest organic lorica which may be related to tintinnids that have been extracted from several Jurassic and Cretaceous pelagic limestone.