Origin of deep-dwelling coccolithophores

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26400505
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Stratigraphy/Paleontology
• Research Institution: Kochi University
• Principal Investigator: Hagino Kyoko 高知大学, その他部局等, 客員講師 (90374206)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): HORIGUCHI Takeo 北海道大学, 理学研究院, 教授 (20212201)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 円石藻 / 石灰質ナノ化石 / 進化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have studied distribution, seasonal change, morphology of coccoliths, molecular-phylogenetic position, and fossil record of Florisphaera profunda and Gladiolithus flabellatus that dominate coccolithophore assemblage of lower photic-zone in the tropical-transitional oceans. Floristic studies showed that F. profunda increase in abundance in late summer in the NW Pacific, and in late autumn in the Sea of Japan. Morphological studies revealed that coccoliths of F. profunda are hetero-coccolith. Molecular phylogenetic studies confirmed that F. profunda and G. flabellatus are included in the hetero-coccoliths bearing coccolithophore clade. Biostratigraphic studies showed that F. profunda occur from the Early Miocene.

Free Research Field

微古生物学