Coccolithophore
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 The coccolithophore Coccolithus pelagicus.
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Coccolithophores (also called coccolithophorids) are single-celled algae, protists and phytoplankton belonging to the division haptophytes. They are distinguished by special calcium carbonate plates (or scales) of uncertain function called coccoliths (calcareous nannoplankton), which are important microfossils. Coccolithophores are almost 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 have become very important as index fossils for solving various stratigraphic problems. Microfossils are sensitive indicators of changes in the temperature and salinity of the ocean and sea surface water. The quantitative analysis of calcareous nannoplankton assemblages is being employed to reveal such changes. They also produce alkenones, biomarkers of great utility in reconstructing ancient temperatures.
Coccolithophores have long been thought to respond to increased ocean acidity, caused by increasing CO2 levels, by becoming less calcified. Scientists were recently surprised to learn that in fact the opposite can happen in at least some circumstances, with the model species E. huxleyi becoming 40% heavier, and more abundant, in more acidic waters.[1]
Isochrysidales of the genus Isochrysis are an important source of DHA in aquaculture industries. See Isochrysis galbana
[edit] See also
[edit] 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 Nanoplankton
- What is a Coccolithophore?
- Emiliania huxleyi Home Page
- BOOM — Biodiversity of Open Ocean Microcalcifiers
- INA — International Nannoplankton Association
- Nannotax - illustrated guide to Neogene coccolithophores and other nannofossils.
[edit] References
- ^ "Phytoplankton Calcification in a High-CO2 World M. Debora Iglesias-Rodriguez,1* Paul R. Halloran,2* Rosalind E. M. Rickaby,2 Ian R. Hall,3 Elena Colmenero-Hidalgo,3{dagger} John R. Gittins,1 Darryl R. H. Green,1 Toby Tyrrell,1 Samantha J. Gibbs,1 Peter von Dassow,4 Eric Rehm,5 E. Virginia Armbrust,5 Karin P. Boessenkool" . doi:.
