Further observations on Vexillarius cancellifer Jordan & Chamberlain

A single specimen of an unusual dimorphic coccosphere was encountered in the subtropical North Atlantic. Despite its poor condition, it was formally described in 1993 as a new lower photic zone species, Vexillarius cancellifer Jordan & Chamberlain. Since then, the species has only been reported twice, with little or no additional information to the original diagnosis. In 2005, a new specimen was found in the Java upwelling system in the southeastern Indian Ocean, and like the type specimen, it was collected from the lower photic zone. The distal portions of the tubular coccoliths are far more complete in the new specimen. We therefore provide an emended diagnosis for this rare genus and species.