On the Morphology and Wall Structure of Tritaxia prramldata Reuss from the Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary Deposits of Pondicherry, South India

Foraminiferal samples collected during a recent study of the Upper Cretaceous-Lower Tertiary deposits of Pondicherry area, South India, have yielded a large number of individuals of Tritaxia pyramidata Reuss. A detailed morphological and microwall structural study of these shells has been made. Such a study indicates a high degree of variation in the shell and apertural shapes. Contrary to the data provided by earlier workers, the wall structure in the specimens under examination, has revealed a two layered nature, the inner layer being formed of crystals of calcite. This new investigation demands reassessment of the taxonomic status of the form. Stratigraphically, Tritaxia pyramidata appears to be a high range species, being found distributed almost throughout the above formations.