Coccospheres of Emiliania huxleyi , Gephyrocapsa oceanica , and Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica have been recognised in 174 plankton samples. Scanning electron microscope analysis of representatives of these species shows considerable morphological differences between specimens of the same species. These differences are described and illustrated. Two factors are responsible for these morphological differences. Emiliania huxleyi has a range of phenotypes becoming progressively more calcified from tropical to sub‐antarctic water. Gephyrocapsa oceanica , Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica , and Emiliana huxleyi have a range of altered forms (morphotypes) caused by different degrees of dissolution.
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D. A. Burns (1977) studied this question.