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 exceptional specimen of Ceratolithus cristatus. This consists of a rostratus-typeceratolith surrounded by a collapsed coccosphere of delicate hoop-coccoliths and a partial outer collapsed coccosphere of nishidae-type planoliths. Thisprovides the final direct evidence needed to support the earlier hypothesis that these three calcareous structures are all provided by the single speciesCeratolithus cristatus. It appears likely that this species has a complex life-cycle.