Flabellogaudryina n.gen, a new agglutinated foraminiferal genus from the Eocene of Saudi Arabia

The newly discovered genus Flabellogaudryina Kaminski and Korin, n.gen., with its type species Flabellogaudryina sirhanensis Kaminski and Korin, n.sp., is described from the middle to upper Eocene Rashrashiyah Formation of the Sirhan–Turayf Basin in northern Saudi Arabia. The genus is defined by its triserial-to-biserial chamber arrangement, exhibiting distinct flattened, flabelliform biserial chambers, arched sutures, a coarsely agglutinated, canaliculate wall structure visible along the suture lines, and an areal opening encircled by a low rim or collar. These morphological characteristics differentiate Flabellogaudryina n.gen. from other representatives of the subfamily Pseudogaudryininae. High-resolution imaging reveals pseudopores in the test wall, which probably enhanced gas exchange and offered structural stability in the low-energy, outer neritic to upper bathyal depositional setting of the Rashrashiyah Formation. The species has adapted to the local geological and geochemical conditions, as evidenced by its coarsely agglutinated wall that contains selectively chosen sedimentary particles that include other foraminifera. This study highlights the taxonomic and paleoecological importance of Flabellogaudryina n.gen. in reconstructing Eocene outer neritic to upper bathyal depositional environments and aids in understanding evolutionary patterns within the subfamily Pseudogaudryininae.