Taxonomy and morphology of Calciopappus curvus sp. nov. (Syracosphaeraceae, Prymnesiophyceae), a novel appendage-bearing coccolithophore

Abstract

Based on scanning electron microscopy observations, a new species of the coccolithophore genus Calciopappus (Syracosphaeraceae, Prymnesiophyceae) is described from the surface waters off Bergen and from the lower photic zone of sub-tropical and tropical waters. Morphological, coccolith rim structure and biometric analyses strongly support separation of this morphotype from the two described Calciopappus species, but inclusion of it within the genus. The new form differs from the other species in being noticeably smaller and in morpho-structural details of each of the three coccolith types that form the coccosphere: (1) the body coccoliths have an open central area; (2) the whorl coccoliths have a wide central opening and two thumb-like protrusions; and (3) the appendage coccoliths are curved. On this basis, the species is formally described as Calciopappus curvus sp. nov., its systematic affinity is discussed and compared with other extant coccolithophores.

Keywords: Biodiversity; Lower Photic Zone; Morphology; Phytoplankton; Syracosphaerales; Taxonomy.