Coccolithophore
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| Coccolithaceae | ||||||||||
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| Missing image Emiliania_huxleyi_3.jpg Coccolithophore (Emiliania huxleyi) Coccolithophore (Emiliania huxleyi) | ||||||||||
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Coccolithophores are single-celled algae belonging to the haptophytes. They are distinguished by special calcium carbonate plates 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.
External link
- What is a Coccolithophore? (http://eobglossary.gsfc.nasa.gov/Library/Coccolithophores/)