Image: Foraminifera wall types

Description: Different types of test walls among foraminifera with secreted tests. Top image is a key to generalised anatomy of test walls. Primary lamella = first layer deposited in any given chamber; secondary lamella = any further layer deposited on top of the primary lamella; outer lamella = outer secreted layer in forams with bilamellar walls; inner lining = inner secreted layer in forams with bilamellar walls; median layer = nonmineralised organic layer separating outer lamella from inner lining in forams with bilamellar walls; septal flap = mineralised layer deposited over earlier septum as a secondary lamella, present only in some bilamellar species; interlocular space = chasm between chambers, sometimes present in bilamellar species with septal flaps. Interlocular space may be "capped" by mineralised layer (not shown). Darker colours represent more recently-deposited layers. Bottom images are different types of wall types found in foraminiferal groups. Nonlamellar walls are found in Carterinida and Miliolida; Monolamellar walls are found in Lagenida; Bilamellar walls are found in Rotaliida (including Globigerinina, the planktonic subclade).
Title: Foraminifera wall types
Credit: Own work
Author: Hayley Orlowski
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
License: CC0
License Link: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en
Attribution Required?: No