EPONIDES AND SOME RELATED GENERA (CRETACEOUS TO RECENT) - A TAXONOMICREVISION

Cretaceous to Recent specimens of various species, traditionally place d in the genus Eponides or related genera are investigated in order to clarify their systematic position. Seven genera can be distinguished on the basis of wall-structure, internal architecture, development of the umbilicus, size of the pores, and position of the apertures. The g enera Globorotalites and Poroeponides are closely related to Eponides, whereas Neoeponides, Svratkina, Oridorsalis, and Cibicidoides belong to other families. Most species show great variability within the diff erent genera. In many cases of species referred to Eponides should be described as variants (ecophenotypic forms) or subspecies. This nomenc lature not only better reflects the variation of species, but also fac ilitates the recognition of possible paleoecologic and stratigraphic c onnections.