Nannotax Enabling nannofossil research

Description: Coccosphere polymorphic with characteristic set of apical and antapical spines shown by all species, though some individual specimens may depart from standard pattern. The following coccolith types occur:

1. Body coccoliths; well-developed radial cycle, usually with openings; lamellar cycle forms low solid cone or hollow protrusion.

2. Four circum flagellar coccoliths, with spine formed by lamellar cycles. 3 with short spines, 1 with long spine.

3. Two antapical coccoliths; very long spines, basal disk folded with broad rim but no radial cycle.

Acanthoica quattrospina Lohmann 1903

Original description:

Type species: Acanthoica quattrospina Lohmann 1903

Variants: the following genera are separated in the plankton but in the fossil record would be included in Acanthoica

	Anacanthoica - similiar to Acanthoica but monomorphic
	Cytrosphaera - similiar to Acanthoica but vari-monomorphic (processes vary in height across the cocccosphere)