Genus 371. Thoracaspis,[1] Haeckel, 1862, Prodromus, p. 468.
Definition.—Belonaspida with forty parmal pores (two on each plate), without dimples and crests, also without by-spines, therefore with smooth surface.
The genus Thoracaspis is the simplest form among the Belonaspida, and repeats in this family the nearly allied genus Dorataspis among the Dorataspida. It differs from this genus only in the characteristic prolongation of one equatorial axis, which effects an ellipsoidal transformation of the spherical central capsule and the enclosing lattice-shell.
1. Thoracaspis ellipsoides, n. sp.
Parmal pores large, elliptical, five or six times as large as the small circular sutural pores. Each plate surrounded by five or six sutural pores (a single one on each side). Spines compressed triangular, sword-like, two-edged; inner and outer half of nearly equal length.
Dimensions.—Length of the ellipsoidal shell (or major axis) 0.15, breadth (or minor axis) 0.12; length of the spines 0.07, basal breadth 0.016.
Habitat.—North Pacific, Station 253, surface.
2. Thoracaspis nephropora, n. sp.
Parmal pores large, kidney-shaped, three to four times as large as the roundish small sutural pores. Each plate surrounded by five or six sutural pores (a single one on each side). Spines in the inner longer part cylindrical, in the outer shorter part conical, not compressed.
Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.2, breadth 0.15; length of the spines 0.06, basal breadth 0.018.
Habitat.—Central Pacific, Station 268, surface.
3. Thoracaspis circopora, n. sp.
Parmal pores circular, of the same size as the circular sutural pores. Each plate surrounded by five or six sutural pores (a single one on each side). Spines compressed, thin, linear, two-edged; outer part one and a half times as long as the inner.
Dimensions.—Length of the shell 0.17, breadth 0.13; length of the spines 0.12, basal breadth 0.003.
Habitat.—South Pacific, Station 288, surface.
4. Thoracaspis bipennis, n. sp. (Pl. 139, fig. 8).
Parmal pores elliptical, about twice as large as the circular sutural pores, which are of rather variable size. Each plate surrounded by eight to twelve sutural pores (commonly two on each side).
- ↑ Thoracaspis = Cuirass-shield; θώραξ, ἀσπίς.
