Nannotax Enabling nannofossil research

Description: Neritic species rarely found in oceanic samples. Coccoliths small (2.2-3.2 µm) with cross in central-area, and a few additional laths on baseplate (see Fresnel 1986). Coccospheres 7.5-9 µm.

Remarks: Two generic assignments have been used for this species; Cruciplacolithus on the basic of central area morphology, with the implication that it is directly descended from this Palaeogene genus; or Coccolithus, with the implication that it is an unrelated homoeomorph of the Palaeogene descended from Coccolithus pelagicus. Molecular genetic data (Sáez et al., in press) indicates a deep divergence from Coccolithus and so supports assignment to Cruciplacolithus. Cytology described by West (1969), Fresnel (1986), Inouye & Kawachi (1994).

Range: Recent - no definite fossil records.