Nannotax Enabling nannofossil research

Life-cycles and culture studies: Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsaoceanica have been cultured extensively andtheir life-cycle is well worked out (Klaveness 1972, Green et al 1996, Houdanet al. 2003). The dominant phase is diploid, non-motile and usuallyheterococcolith-bearing (= C-cells), although naked mutants often occur inculture (= N-cells). The alternate phase is haploid, scale-bearing and motile(= S-cells). There is no holococcolith stage.

Coccolith structure: Coccoliths are placoliths with Reticulofenestra-type structure,i.e. V-unit vestigial, R-unit forms proximal shield, distal shield, inner andouter tube-cycles, grill and any central-area structures; stronglybirefringent. In the SEM characteristic features include; grill in centralarea, anti-clockwise imbrication of inner tube elements, and monocyclicproximal shield. References: Young (1989), Young et al. (1994).

SYNONYM: Gephyrocapsaceae Black, 1971