Schmid, D. & Leinfelder, R. (1995):

Lithocodium aggregatum Elliot n'est pas une algue mais un foraminifère encroûtant, commensalisé par le foraminifère Troglotella incrustans Wernli et Fookes.-

C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, 320, série IIa, 531-538, Paris.

Abstract

Lithocodium aggregatum, originally considered as codiacean alga, represents an encrusting loftusiid foraminifer. Criteria are partial coiling of the test, microgranular, imperforate wall, ability to agglutinate, alveoli and cribrate openings. Alveoli possibly contained photoautotrophic endosymbionts. Lithocodium is not identical with Bacinella, although phrenoteca-like structures crossing parts of the chambers partly resemble the latter. In Upper Jurassic material, almost all chambers of Lithocodium are occupied of Troglotella inhabitans, a telamminid foraminifera. It was a facultative borer during juvenile stage, whereas adult forms developed an irregular shape, which earlier was misinterpreted as sporangia of Lithocodium. Troglotella normally grew into the alveoli of Lithocodium, suggesting a commensalic relation, with Troglotella possibly feeding on the autotrophic symbionts.

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