Decahedrella martinheadii gen. et sp. nov.: A Problematic Palynomorph from the Northern Atlantic Miocene. Spherical Networks, a Mathematical Analysis with Special Reference to Decahedrella martinheadii

Decahedrella martinheadii gen. et sp. nov. is a marine palynomorph consisting of ribbon-like bars outlining two quadrangles each encircled by four pentagons forming a spheroidal network to which an internal sac is loosely connected. It is demonstrated mathematically that the observed organization of quadrangles and pentagons is the only possible given the total number of ten. The taxon has been recorded amongst Miocene dinocysts from eight deep sea coreholes (DSDP/ODP) in the northern Atlantic Ocean, sometimes with high relative frequencies. A dinoflagellate affinity could not be demonstrated.