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'Coccolithophores' (also called 'coccolithophorids') are single-celled algae, protists and phytoplankton belonging to the class haptophytes. They are distinguished by special calcium carbonate plates (or scales) of unknown purpose called ''coccoliths'', which are important microfossils. Coccolithophores are exclusively marine and are found in large numbers throughout the surface euphotic zone of the ocean. An example of a globally-significant coccolithophore is ''Emiliania huxleyi''.
Due to their microscopic size and the broad distribution of many of their taxa, ''coccoliths'' (calcareous nannoplankton) have become very popular as index fossils for solving various stratigraphic problems. Nanofossils are sensitive indicators of changes in the temperature and salinity of the ocean and sea surface water. The quantitative analysis of calcareous nanoplankton assemblages is being employed to reveal such changes.

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See also

External links

See also

★ CLAW hypothesis

★ ''Emiliania huxleyi'' virus 86

★ Ocean acidification

★ Phytoplankton

★ ''Pleurochrysis carterae''

External links

★ Cocco Express - Coccolithophorids Expressed Sequence Tags (EST) & Microarray Database

★ University of California, Berkeley. Museum of Paleontology: "Introduction to the Prymnesiophyta".

★ The Paleontology Portal: Calcareous Nannoplankton

★ What is a Coccolithophore?

★ ''Emiliania huxleyi'' Home Page

★ BOOM - Biodiversity of Open Ocean Microcalcifiers

★ - INA International Nannoplankton Association