Nannotax Enabling nannofossil research

Description: Catinasters are rather curious sub-cylindrical or cup-shaped nannofossils. They have six-fold radial symmetry and the same crystallographic orientation as discoasters. There are two main species, C. coalitus which has septae-like radial structures confined to the cup, and C. calyculus in which radial structures extend beyond the cup. The cup was probably formed by fusion of the bifurcations of a small discoaster (Martini & Worsley 1971, Peleo-Alampay et al., 1988).

Remarks: 

Range: NN8 to 10.

Type species: C. calyculus Martini & Bramlette 1963