The enclosing latticed sphere of Tuscaridium cygneum (Murray), a eurybathyal phaeodarian Radiolaria, from the North Pacific

Abstract

Specimens of Tuscaridium cygneum (Murray), the eurybathyal phaeodarian Radiolaria, from the eastern temperate North Pacific Ocean were enclosed in an intricate latticed sphere in in situ samples. Scanning electron microscopy revealed unique microstructures on the shells of individual radiolarians and on the spheres. Although the function and significance of the enclosing spheres are unknown, colonies of these deep-dwelling, bioluminescent phaeodarians may be common in the world's oceans.