Foram Test Construction

This test style was the first to evolve (more than 500 million years ago) and consists of tiny cemented grains gathered from the sea floor. Particles are glued to a tectin base with an organic, calcite or iron-bearing cement. Remember the organic tests we first talked about? This is simply an organic test with particles glued on top. At times these particles appear to have been gathered at random and at other times the grains are similar in size, composition or shape.

Test walls are composed of tiny, closely-packed grains of calcium carbonate, but with no obvious cement. For many years this group was lumped into the agglutinated class because it was thought that these tests were built from scavenged grains. In fact, some species do have some agglutinated grains thereby adding to the confusion. However, scientists are now convinced this group of forams actually secrets the tiny grains.

This test is composed of microscopic calcite needles formed inside the foram and then moved to the outside of the cell. Tests are generally white in color, but may be pink or colorless with an appearance similar to porcelain, hence the name "porcellaneous". Test walls are generally built of three layers - a central layer sandwiched between two outer layers. Calcite needles in the middle layer are arranged in a poorly-organized mesh-like network, while needles in the outer layers are arranged parallel to one another, providing the outside of the test with a smooth surface.

To build this type of test, the foram secrets one or more layers of calcium carbonate over soft tectin material that serves as a template for the final shape. Rhizopodia, thin organic filaments connected to the foram, assist with hyaline test construction by delivering liquid calcium carbonate to different patches of the exposed tectin surface. The patches of calcium carbonate eventually merge and harden into a solid shell. Hyaline tests are often translucent to light, and commonly have a glassy or milky iridescent appearance.