Taxonomy:
Distinguishing features: BCs with smooth rim - axial structure prominent irregular ridge or ring; XCs smooth eliptical discs, rare
Farinacci & Howe catalog pages: S. borealis *
Morphology:
BCs - distal flange moderately broad, slightly flaring, with low sutural ridges; axial structure - irregular ridge or cluster of nodes formed by upgrowth from laths.
XCs - small, folded into saddle-shape; rim, narrow, symmetrical (no wing development). Usually only a few observed or absent. Can show arcuate openings at the ends of the central area but these are often not present, or possibly obscured by organics.
Size: Coccospheres 6-8 µm /BCs 1.5-2.5 µm
Ecology & Biogeography: A common sub-Arctic species
Tags | LITHS: murolith, placolith, SHAPE: elliptical, CA: ca_disjunct, grill, plate, CSPH: equant, XC, CROSS-POLARS: R-prominent, T-prominent, |
Metrics | Lith size: 1.5->3µm; Coccosphere size: 8->10µm; Liths per sphere: 30->50 Data source notes: csph & lith length (BCs) from OD & illustrated specimens; lith numbers from Yang & Wei 2003, range of estimates |
Geological Range:
Last occurrence (top): Extant Data source: present in the plankton (Young et al. 2003)
First occurrence (base): within No known fossil record modern (0.00-0.00Ma, base in "Holocene" stage). Data source: [JRY rough estimate]
Plot of occurrence data:
Meier, K. J. S., Kinkel, H. & Young, J. R. (2014b). A note on calcareous nannoplankton from the Kieler Förde (Baltic Sea). Journal of Nannoplankton Research. 33(1): 29-37. gs V O Okada, H. & McIntyre, A. (1977). Modern coccolithophores of the Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans. Micropaleontology. 23(1): 1-55. gs Thomsen, H. A. (2016). Baltic Sea coccolithophores – an overview of insights into their taxonomy and ecology from the last 40 years. Journal of Nannoplankton Research. 36(2): 97-119. gs V O Young, J. R., Geisen, M., Cros, L., Kleijne, A., Probert, I. & Ostergaard, J. B. (2003). A guide to extant coccolithophore taxonomy. Journal of Nannoplankton Research, Special Issue. 1: 1-132. gs V OReferences:
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Syracosphaera borealis compiled by Jeremy R. Young, Paul R. Bown, Jacqueline A. Lees viewed: 15-1-2021
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