Alveolina postalensis n. Sp. (foraminiferida, alveolinidae) from the upper ypresian of monte postale and pesciara di bolca (Northern Italy)

A new species of the genus Alveolina, Alveolina postalensis n. sp., is herein described from the Monte Postale and Pesciara di Bolca sites (northern Italy). Our biometric data allow us to distinguish this species from the related Alveolina croatica Drobne, 1977, A. levantina Hottinger, 1960, and A. hottingeri Drobne, 1977. We hypothesise that Alveolina postalensis n. sp. could be the ancestor of A. croatica and that A. postalensis n. sp. and A. levantina could share a common ancestor. Based on the larger foraminiferal assemblage co-occurring with the new taxon, we can ascribe Alveolina postalensis n. sp. to the SB11 Zone (middle Cuisian, upper Ypresian, lower Eocene).