Named by Dumitrica & Whalen.
Diagnosis: A species of Ares with a conical test, A and V spines relatively equal and recurved, and D spine long, over twice length of test.
Original description: Test high-conical with elliptical or rounded polygonal pores. Cephalis small, poreless situated on the
dorsal side of the apical part of test, surface weakly pustulate. Apical and ventral spines robust, bladed, recurved and slightly dissimilar, usually slightly shorter than D spine and may be more curved. D spine downwardly directed, slightly curved, running along thorax and continuing a long distance beyond.
Original remarks: A. cuniculiformis n. sp. resembles A. armatus De Wever, with which it partly co-occurs, but it differs in having a narrower test, A and V spines are relatively equal in length and both are recurved. There is a slight difference between this species from the Pliensbachian (Turkey and Baja California) and the species from the lower Toarcian (Japan). In the former (and especially the holotype) the apical horn is almost of the same length as the ventral horn, whereas in the latter, the apical horn is shorter. They are probably part of the phylogenetical lineage that gave rise to A. cylindricus Takemura.
Etymology: From the Latin cuniculus hare and forma shape; noun.
Full reference: S. Gorican, E. S. Carter, P. Dumitrica, P. A. Whalen, R. S. Hori, P. De Wever, L. O'Dogherty, A. Matsuoka, and J. Guex. 2006. Catalogue and systematics of Pliensbachian, Toarcian and Aalenian radiolarian genera and species 446
Belongs to Ares according to S. Gorican et al. 2006
Sister taxa: Ares armatus, Ares avirostrum, Ares mexicoensis, Ares moresbyensis, Ares sutherlandi, Ares takemurai
Type specimen: figs1 and 1a, stub 1662DR03-13.
Ecology: passively mobile planktonic omnivore
Distribution:
• Jurassic of Japan (1 collection), Mexico (1)
Total: 2 collections each including a single occurrence
Specimen images are retrieved through the ePANDDA API.
Click image to enlarge. Click to access iDigBio record.