Pseudochoffatella minima n. sp., a new Larger Benthic Foraminifera from the Lower Cretaceous of Central Iran

The new Larger Benthic Foraminifera Pseudochoffatella minima n. sp. is described from the uppermost Barremian? to early upper Aptian of the Taft Formation of the Yazd Block, Central Iran. It differs from the upper Aptian-lowermost Albian type-species P cuvillieri Deloffre by its reduced dimensions (test size, chamber height, diameter of proloculus), and can be considered as its direct ancestor. P. minima n. sp. occurs in wackestone in often monotypic assemblages. Differences to Balkhania balkhanica Mamontova (syn. Pseudochoffatella gigantea Kaever), an allied taxon recorded from the lower Aptian of the Tirgan and Taft formations are constrained. P minima n. sp. represents the third species of the genus besides the type-species P cuvillieri Deloffre and the Cenomanian P. algeriana Peybernes, Calvez and Ciszak.