Taxonomy and paleoecology of the Maastrichtian-Paleogene benthic foraminifer Valvulineria orali (Inan, 2003) comb. nov.

Specimens classically cited in foraminiferal literature as Cocoarota orali Inan, 2003 are here instead considered as Valvulineria orali (Inan, 2003) comb. nov. This species is widely distributed in Upper Cretaceous (upper Maastrichtian) to Paleogene (lower Lutetian) shallow-water carbonates in the Neo-Tethyan realm, from Spain to Pakistan. The species was previously considered as possessing a free way of life. Material from the Danian-Thanetian of the Kambühel Formation of the Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria, and from the Danian-Selandian of the ?ahinkaya Member of the Eastern Pontides, Turkey, evidences a facultative(?) epibiont life style in peri-reefal environments. The observed test plasticity is likely due to adjustments to variable substrate surfaces and supports the interpretation of an epibiont life style. The systematic placing of the species is discussed herein based on synonymies and taxonomical differences with the genera to which it has been previously attributed.