Micropaleontological aspects of the "Calcite Eyes" phenomenon in the family Orbitolinidae

Abstract

The presence of the "calcite eyes" is related to an internal physiological reason rather than genetically reason or parasite inhabitation. The individual of this family tries to create open spaces in the areas of its body intensively crowded by the main partition or its branches to avoid oxygen scarcity (dysoxic condition). This mechanism keeps the living matter in touch each to the other as well as continuity of the animal life. After death and burial, these created spaces are filled with pure calcite, as it is the case in the chamber passage. This phenomenon took place in both megalospheric and microspheric generations.