First direct documentation of associations of Ceratolithus cristatus ceratoliths, hoop-coccoliths and Neosphaera coccolithomorpha planoliths

Study of plankton sample from the northeast Atlantic has revealed an except ional specimen of Ceratolithus cristatus. This consists of a rostratus-type ceratolith surrounded by a collapsed coccosphere of delicate hoop-coccolit hs and a partial outer collapsed coccosphere of nishidae-type planoliths. T his provides the final direct evidence needed to support the earlier hypoth esis that these three calcareous structures are all provided by the single species Ceratolithus cristatus. It appears likely that this species has a c omplex life-cycle. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.