Leptosalenia inflata Thompson, 2016
Plate: LeIn-10
Series: Lower Cretaceous Group: Trinity Formation: Glen Rose
Locale: Canyon Lake County: Comal Stage: Albian
Length: 22.3 mm Height: 16.1 mm
Specimen in photo: NPL 82987 Holotype
Collector: Frank Crane
Repository: Non-vertebrate Paleo. Lab., Univ. of Texas
HOLOTYPE INFO:
Holotype: NPL 82987
Locality: Canyon Lake, Comal County, Texas.
Stratigraphy: Glen Rose Formation, Trinity Group.
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY – TAXONOMY
Class: Echinoidea Leske, 1778
Subclass: Euechinoidea Bronn, 1860
Infraclass: Carinacea Kroh & Smith, 2010
Superorder: Calycina Gregory, 1900
Order: Salenioida Delage & Hérouard, 1903
Family: Saleniidae L. Agassiz, 1838
Genus: LEPTOSALENIA Smith & Wright, 1990
Species: Leptosalenia inflata Thompson, 2016
TYPE SPECIES: Salenia prestensis Desor, 1856
DIAGNOSIS
A Leptosalenia characterized by a massive, steeple-shaped apical system (78% of test diameter). The interambulacral area immediately below the apical system is devoid of large tubercles and densely granulated. Distinct deep sutural pits are present on the outer edges of the apical system between the genital and ocular plates.
STRATIGRAPHICAL OCCURRENCE & DISTRIBUTION
Group: Trinity
Formations: Glen Rose Formation
Stratigraphic Units: Lower Cretaceous, Albian
Counties: Comal
Abundance: Rare; only one specimen found.
DESCRIPTION
TOP: Length, width, height: 22.3 mm L × 16.1 mm H.
Top shape: Circular.
Top domed: Apical system sits on the corona as a raised steeple, sloping quickly to the corona. Apex is located at the inside lip of the periproct.
SIDE: Ambitus: Positioned 34% of height from the adoral surface.
BOTTOM: Bottom shape: Flat.
AMB: Amb shape: Straight below the center with a single flexure just above the center. Width is consistent for the entire length.
Amb arrangement: Two rows of equal-sized tubercles extend the entire length, becoming smaller only immediately in contact with the peristome.
Amb width: Interambulacra are just over 4.5 times the size of the ambulacra.
PORE PAIRS: Arrangement: Uniserial; almost no crowding at the peristome.
TUBERCLES: Primary Perforated: No (Imperforate per Family).
Primary Crenulate: Yes.
Interambulacral Tubercles: Two rows of four tubercles (two large, two small/very small).
Areolas: Raised and large; mamelons large and protruding.
Scrobicular Tubercles: Surround each primary tubercle except on the adradial side.
GRANULES: Distribution: Further granulation present along the interradial suture. Granulation is very dense in the center region of the interambulacrum below the apical disc (where large tubercles are absent).
FASCIOLE: Absent.
APICAL SYSTEM: Size: Massive; diameter approximately 78% of the test diameter.
Shape: Rounded outer edges; steeple-shaped profile.
Plating: Each genital plate has a central gonopore. Ocular outer edges are scalloped with three rounded bumps (center bump smallest).
Ornamentation: Distinct, deeply cut sutural pits located on the outer edges of the apical system between the genital and ocular plates.
PERIPROCT (ANUS): Shape: Somewhat triangular.
Features: Surrounded by a lip.
PERISTOME (MOUTH): Size: Diameter 45% of test diameter.
Lip: Ten buccal notches; lips present on the interambulacral side of notches only.
SPINES: Unknown.
SPECIMENS STUDIED & CONDITION: One specimen studied: Holotype NPL 82987.
ETYMOLOGY
Named for its inflated, steeple-shaped apical system.
REMARKS & COMPARISONS
Remarks: This species is unique among Leptosalenia due to the massive, steeple-like profile of the apical system and the pronounced sutural pits located specifically between the genitals and oculars on the outer margin. The single flexure in the ambulacra and the large granulated zone below the apical system further differentiate it.
Plate: LeIn-10
Series: Lower Cretaceous Group: Trinity Formation: Glen Rose
Locale: Canyon Lake County: Comal Stage: Albian
Length: 22.3 mm Height: 16.1 mm
Specimen in photo: NPL 82987 Holotype
Collector: Frank Crane
Repository: Non-vertebrate Paleo. Lab., Univ. of Texas
HOLOTYPE INFO:
Holotype: NPL 82987
Locality: Canyon Lake, Comal County, Texas.
Stratigraphy: Glen Rose Formation, Trinity Group.
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY – TAXONOMY
Class: Echinoidea Leske, 1778
Subclass: Euechinoidea Bronn, 1860
Infraclass: Carinacea Kroh & Smith, 2010
Superorder: Calycina Gregory, 1900
Order: Salenioida Delage & Hérouard, 1903
Family: Saleniidae L. Agassiz, 1838
Genus: LEPTOSALENIA Smith & Wright, 1990
Species: Leptosalenia inflata Thompson, 2016
TYPE SPECIES: Salenia prestensis Desor, 1856
DIAGNOSIS
A Leptosalenia characterized by a massive, steeple-shaped apical system (78% of test diameter). The interambulacral area immediately below the apical system is devoid of large tubercles and densely granulated. Distinct deep sutural pits are present on the outer edges of the apical system between the genital and ocular plates.
STRATIGRAPHICAL OCCURRENCE & DISTRIBUTION
Group: Trinity
Formations: Glen Rose Formation
Stratigraphic Units: Lower Cretaceous, Albian
Counties: Comal
Abundance: Rare; only one specimen found.
DESCRIPTION
TOP: Length, width, height: 22.3 mm L × 16.1 mm H.
Top shape: Circular.
Top domed: Apical system sits on the corona as a raised steeple, sloping quickly to the corona. Apex is located at the inside lip of the periproct.
SIDE: Ambitus: Positioned 34% of height from the adoral surface.
BOTTOM: Bottom shape: Flat.
AMB: Amb shape: Straight below the center with a single flexure just above the center. Width is consistent for the entire length.
Amb arrangement: Two rows of equal-sized tubercles extend the entire length, becoming smaller only immediately in contact with the peristome.
Amb width: Interambulacra are just over 4.5 times the size of the ambulacra.
PORE PAIRS: Arrangement: Uniserial; almost no crowding at the peristome.
TUBERCLES: Primary Perforated: No (Imperforate per Family).
Primary Crenulate: Yes.
Interambulacral Tubercles: Two rows of four tubercles (two large, two small/very small).
Areolas: Raised and large; mamelons large and protruding.
Scrobicular Tubercles: Surround each primary tubercle except on the adradial side.
GRANULES: Distribution: Further granulation present along the interradial suture. Granulation is very dense in the center region of the interambulacrum below the apical disc (where large tubercles are absent).
FASCIOLE: Absent.
APICAL SYSTEM: Size: Massive; diameter approximately 78% of the test diameter.
Shape: Rounded outer edges; steeple-shaped profile.
Plating: Each genital plate has a central gonopore. Ocular outer edges are scalloped with three rounded bumps (center bump smallest).
Ornamentation: Distinct, deeply cut sutural pits located on the outer edges of the apical system between the genital and ocular plates.
PERIPROCT (ANUS): Shape: Somewhat triangular.
Features: Surrounded by a lip.
PERISTOME (MOUTH): Size: Diameter 45% of test diameter.
Lip: Ten buccal notches; lips present on the interambulacral side of notches only.
SPINES: Unknown.
SPECIMENS STUDIED & CONDITION: One specimen studied: Holotype NPL 82987.
ETYMOLOGY
Named for its inflated, steeple-shaped apical system.
REMARKS & COMPARISONS
Remarks: This species is unique among Leptosalenia due to the massive, steeple-like profile of the apical system and the pronounced sutural pits located specifically between the genitals and oculars on the outer margin. The single flexure in the ambulacra and the large granulated zone below the apical system further differentiate it.
