nanofossil

views updated

nanofossil (nannofossil) A fossil of the smallest member of the plankton (the nanoplankton). Nanofossils are of plants and include various forms, e.g. the coccolithophores (Coccolithophoridae), which are 5–60 μm in size and have been used as stratigraphic indicators in addition to the larger microfossils.