Morphology and phylogeny of the coccolithophycean family Ceratolithaceae

Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey
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Abstract

The family Ceratolithaceae includes a group of horseshoe-shaped calcareous nannofossils and contains ten species which are assignable to two genera: Amaurolithus n. gen. and Ceratolithus. Species of Amaurolithus are characterized by showing faint or no birefringence in cross-polarized light when viewed in preferred orientation. Included in Amaurolithus are A. amplificus (Bukry and Percival), A. Mzzarus (Bukry), A. delicatus n. sp., A. primus (Bukry and Percival), and A. tricorniculatus (Gartner). Species of Ceratolithus are characterized by their strong birefringence in cross-polarized light when viewed in preferred orientation. Ceratolithus includes C. acutus Gartner and Bukry, C. armatus Miiller, C. cristatus Kamptner, C. rugosus Bukry and Bramlette, and C. telesmus Norris. The family first appears in the geologic record during the late Miocene, represented by the nonbirefringent-appearing species that constitute the genus Amaurolithus. A succession of these species persists into the early Pliocene. The distinctly birefringent forms assigned to the genus Ceratolithus first appear near the base of the Pliocene; the succession has persisted to modern time.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Morphology and phylogeny of the coccolithophycean family Ceratolithaceae
Series title Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey
Volume 3
Issue 4
Year Published 1975
Language English
Publisher U. S. Geological Survey
Description 15 p.
First page 451
Last page 465
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