NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Coccolithophore

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 unknown purpose called coccoliths (calcareous nannoplankton), 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. Image File history File linksMetadata Coccolithovirus. ... Binomial name Emiliania huxleyi (Hay & Mohler in Hay, Mohler, Roth, Schmidt & Boudreaux, 1967) Emiliania huxleyi is a species of coccolithophore, single-celled phytoplankton that are covered with uniquely ornamented calcite disks. ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... Kingdoms Eukaryotes are organisms with complex cells, in which the genetic material is organized into membrane-bound nuclei. ... The chromalveolates (Chromalveolata) are a hypothetical grouping of eukaryotes, comprising the Chromista and alveolates, as suggested by Tom Cavalier-Smith. ... Orders Class Pavlovophyceae Pavlovales Class Prymnesiophyceae Prymnesiales Phaeocystales Isochrysidales Coccolithales The haptophytes, classed either as the Prymnesiophyta or Haptophyta, are a group of algae. ... Algae have conventionally been regarded as simple plants within the study of botany. ... Typical phyla Chromalveolata Chromista Heterokontophyta Haptophyta Cryptophyta (cryptomonads) Alveolata Dinoflagellata Apicomplexa Ciliophora (ciliates) Cabozoa Excavata Euglenozoa Percolozoa Metamonada Rhizaria Radiolaria Foraminifera Cercozoa Archaeplastida (in part) Rhodophyta (red algae) Glaucophyta (basal archaeplastids) Amoebozoa Choanozoa Many others; classification varies Protists (IPA: (RP); (GenAm)), Greek protiston -a meaning the (most) first of all... Diagrams of some typical phytoplankton Phytoplankton are the autotrophic component of plankton. ... Look up division in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Orders Class Pavlovophyceae Pavlovales Class Prymnesiophyceae Prymnesiales Phaeocystales Isochrysidales Coccolithales The haptophytes, classed either as the Prymnesiophyta or Haptophyta, are a group of algae. ... Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound, with the chemical formula CaCO3. ... Coccoliths are the individual plates formed by coccolithophores such as Emiliana huxleyi1, and arranged around them in a coccosphere. ... Micropaleontology, the study of microfossils, is a branch of paleontology. ... Marine is an umbrella term for things relating to the ocean, as with marine biology, marine geology, and as a term for a navy, etc. ... The photic zone is the depth of the water, whether in a lake or an ocean, that is exposed to sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis to occur. ... Animated map exhibiting the worlds oceanic waters. ... Binomial name Emiliania huxleyi (Hay & Mohler in Hay, Mohler, Roth, Schmidt & Boudreaux, 1967) Emiliania huxleyi is a species of coccolithophore, single-celled phytoplankton that are covered with uniquely ornamented calcite disks. ...

Due to their microscopic size and the broad distribution of many of their taxa, coccoliths have become very popular 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. Microscopy is any technique for producing visible images of structures or details too small to otherwise be seen by the human eye, using a microscope or other magnification tool. ... Index fossils (or zone fossils) are fossils used to define and identify geologic periods (or faunal stages). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Annual mean sea surface salinity for the World Ocean. ... This article is about the body of water. ... Doubly refracting Calcite from Iceberg claim, Dixon, New Mexico. ...

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Categories: Chromista | Fossils | Microbiology

Results from FactBites:

Thinking big - all about coccolithophores, Quarterdeck 5.2 (1572 words)
	Coccolithophores are one type of phytoplankton, organisms that live near the ocean surface where they can use abundant light for photosynthesis.
	Some coccolithophores flourish in places too spartan for many other phytoplankton; in the ocean centers where nutrients are scarce or in the lower parts of surface waters where there is little light to drive photosynthesis.
	Coccolithophore blooms can triple the amount of light reflected into space by the surface waters they occupy, reducing the amount of light that penetrates the upper layers of the ocean.

Coccolithophores in the Gulf of Mexico (1785 words)
	Coccolithophores live in the photic zone-the upper part of the ocean where there is enough light to support photosynthesis.
	Coccolithophores in the "basement," the deepest layer, have direct access to nutrients but are slow to use them for lack of sufficient light.
	Coccolithophores in the "kitchen," the middle layer, have moderate light and immediately use any nutrients that come in from the basement as well as leftovers, recycled nutrients released by the decay of dead plankton and other organisms.

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