Nannotax Enabling nannofossil research

Extant coccolithophore: The only described species of Discosphaera; characterised by monomorphc coccosphere with all coccoliths bearing trumpet-like protrusions (see also generic description). Common in oligotrophic surface waters.

Fossil record: Never common but specimens occur consistently in well-preserved sub-tropical sediments. Usually the base is detached but appearance of trumpet-like processes is distinctive in LM (see images).

Range: NN11 to Recent.