Abundance variations of six Pliocene species of the nannofossil genus <i>Discoaster</i> were analyzed over the time interval 1.89–2.95 Ma at five sites in the North Atlantic; DSDP 552 (56°N), DSDP 607 (41°N), ODP 659 (18°N), ODP 658 (20°N) and ODP 662 (1°S). Individual species are compared between the five sites as a percentage of the total <i>Discoaster</i> assemblage, using age models based mainly on <i>Discoaster</i> datums (3 control points used at each site). The sampling interval is approximately 3 kyrs.<br/><br/><i>Discoaster brouweri</i>, the only species covering the complete time interval became a less significant component of the assemblages with increasing latitude during the interval prior to 2.3 Ma. <i>Discoaster triradiatus</i> shows a distinct abundance acme at all sites between 1.89–2.7 Ma. <i>Discoaster surculus</i> increased in relative abundance with higher latitudes and upwelling conditions (ODP Site 658).<br/><br/><i>Discoaster pentaradiatus</i> is an important component of the assemblages at all sites, but displays an inverse abundance relationship with <i>D. surculus</i> as a function of increasing latitude and upwelling conditions. <i>Discoaster tamalis</i> and <i>Discoaster asymmetricus</i> are reduced at low latitudes and in upwelling conditions and increase relative to <i>D. brouweri</i> at higher latitudes, where there is strong evidence for taxonomic affinity.