An unusual coccolithophorid (Haptophyta) specimen from Puerto Rico.

Abstract

Abslraci:During routine phytoplankton counting of offshore Puerto Rican samples, an unusual spec imen of Calcioso /enia murrayi Gran was encountered. C. murrayi typicall y has monomorphic body-cocco liths, but the new specimen bore several types of body-coccolith : at least two types of rhombolith, and a narrow, elliptical coccolith new to sc ience. This latter type is not rhombic like the others, but shares several rhombolith features. However, it dilfcrs by being longer, relatively flattent:d, slight ly twisted, and with distally-pointed ends. Although it is poss ib le th at the s ingle specimen rcprest:nts a coccospherc composed mainl y of ma lformed coccol iths, it is sugges ted here that the new coccolith type may be evidence of an alternate phase. As thousands of onl y rhombolith-bearing coccospheres have been previously observed by coccolithophorid workers, this new coccolith type may be produced for only a short duration.