A = A living cell at different focal planes; B = Coccolith viewed at two focal planes (BF)
Life-form: Solitary
Size: Diameter = 10-40 µm, length of placolith = 4.4-13 µm
Resting spore:
Note: The holococcolithophorids Crystallolithus braarudii Gaarder and C. hyalinus Gaarder et Markali are part in the life history (Heimdal 1993)
Distinctive features: Mostly a bar crosses the central pore of the coccolith
Similar species: Gephyrocapsa spp.
Distribution: North Atlantic, Mediterranean, New Zealand, Skagerrak
Literature:
Heimdal, B. R. 1993. Modern Coccolithophorids. In: Tomas, C. R. (ed.)
Marine Phytoplankton: a guide to naked flagellates and
coccolithophorids. p. 147-247.
Manton, I. & Leedale, G. F. 1969. Observations on the microanatomy of Coccolithus pelagicus and Cricosphaera carterae, with special reference to the origin and nature of coccoliths and scales. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 49: 1-16.
Parke, M. & Adams, I. 1960. The motile (Crystallolithus hyalinus Gaarder & Markali) and non-motile phases in the life history of Coccolithus pelagicus (Wallich) Schiller. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 39: 263-274.