Discoasters are microscopic, star-shaped, calcite nannofossils (5-40 μm) of uncertain origin that are generally classified with marine coccolith-bearing algae (see Coccoliths). Discoasters are known as fossils ranging in age from late Paleocene to late Pliocene. Possible living discoaster-producing organisms have been reported (Bursa, 1964, 1971), but are not yet sufficiently documented and belie the well-documented sequential extinction of various forms to the end of the Tertiary. Fossil discoasters are most abundant and diverse in ocean sediment from the tropics where they can be the dominant type of nannofossil. Classified in the organ genus Discoaster Tan (1927)are at least 250 species names. Of these, only about 100 appear to be distinct biologic entities. Because of diagenetic overgrowth and dissolution, diagnostic taxonomic features, such as the relative proportions, taper, and camber of rays and the form of ray tips, can be obscured and misinterpreted. Discoaster species have...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bramlette, M. N., 1957. Discoaster and some related microfossils, U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 280-F, F247–F255.
Bramlette, M. N., and Riedel, W. R., 1954. Stratigraphic value of discoasters and some other microfossils related to recent coccolithophores, J. Paleontology, 28, 385–403.
Bramlette, M. N., and Sullivan, F. R., 1961. Coccolithophorids and related nannoplankton of the early Tertiary in California, Micropaleontology, 7, 129–188.
Bramlette, M. N., and Wilcoxon, J. A., 1967. Middle Tertiary calcareous nannoplankton of the Cipero Section, Trinidad, W. I., Tulane Stud. Geol., 5, 93–131.
Bukry, D., 1971. Discoaster evolutionary trends, Micropaleontology, 17, 43–52.
Bukry, D., 1973. Coccolith stratigraphy, eastern equatorial Pacific, Leg 16 Deep Sea Drilling Project, Initial Repts. Deep Sea Drilling Proj., 16, 653–711.
Bukry, D., and Bramlette, M. N., 1969. Some new and stratigraphically useful calcareous nannofossils of the Cenozoic, Tulane Stud. Geol. Paleontol., 7, 131–142.
Bursa, A. S., 1964 [1965]. Discoasteromonas calciferus n. sp., an arctic relict secreting Discoaster Tan Sin Hok 1927, Grana Palynol. 6, 147–165.
Bursa, A. S., 1971. Morphogenesis and taxonomy of fossil and contemporary dinophyta secreting discoasters, 2nd Planktonic Conf. Proc., 129–143.
Martini, E., 1958. Discoasteriden und verwandte Formen im NW-deutschen Eozän (Coccolithophorida), Senckenbergiana Lethaea, 39, 353–388.
Martini, E., and Bramlette, M. N., 1963. Calcareous nannoplankton from the experimental Mohole drilling, J. Paleontology, 37, 845–856.
Prins, B., 1971. Speculations on relations, evolution, and stratigraphic distribution of discoasters, 2nd Planktonic Conf. Proc., 1017–1037.
Stradner, H., 1958. Die fossilen Discoasteriden Österreichs, Erdoel-Z., 74, 178–188.
Stradner, H., 1959a. First report on the discoasters of the Tertiary of Austria and their stratigraphic use, 5th World Petrol. Cong. Proc., New York, 1, 1081–1095.
Stradner, H., 1959b. Die fossilen Discoasteriden Österreichs II. Teil, Erdoel-Z., 75, 472–488.
Stradner, H., and Papp, A., 1961. Tertiäre Discoasterideriden aus Österreich und deren stratigraphischen Bedeutung mit Hinweisen auf Mexiko, Rumänien und Italien, Jahrb. Geol. Bundesanst. (Wien), 7, 159p.
Tan, S. H., 1927. Discoasteridae incertae sedis Koninkl Akad. Wetensch. Amsterdam Proc., Sec. Sci., 30, 411–419.
Cross-references
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1979 Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, Inc.
About this entry
Cite this entry
Bukry, D. (1979). Discoasters . In: Paleontology. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-31078-9_50
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-31078-9_50
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-0-87933-185-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-31078-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive