Nannotax Enabling nannofossil research

Description: Large Gephyrocapsa species with bridge steeply inclined (50-30°) to the long axis, central opening narrow or nearly closed.

Size: Coccolith length 5.5 - 7µm. (the minimum length of 5.5µm is a rather artificial cut-off but useful for biostratigraphy, see e.g. Raffi et al. 2006).

Remarks:As indicated by the synonymy below a wide range of informal names have been applied to this morphotpye, but G. lumina is a valid formally described name. G. carribbeanica is a somewhat similar Late Quaternary species but this has a more closed central area and the bridge is nearly flush with the shield rather than elevated above it, as is the case in G. lumina.  

Original description:

Synonyms

• Gephyrocapsa spp. A & B Matsuoka and Okada 1990, p.260, pl.1/17-18, 2/1-11
• Gephyrocapsa spp. 1 & 2 Rio 1982, p.329, pl.2/1-12.
• large Gephyrocapsa (>5.5 mm) Raffi et al. 2006

NB The name G. caribbeanica has also been applied to this morphtype by, for example, Pujos-Lamy (1977), Samteleben (1980), Perch-Nielsen (1985). In modern usage however, the name is normally only applied to the Late Quaternary form.