What are coccolithophores? What are their characteristic features? Where in marine environments do they usually occur? What is their main ecological significance?

Question 1

What are the cocolithophores?

Answer 1

Coccolithophores – A single celled marine flagellate that secretes a calcareous shell, forming an important constituent of the phytoplankton. Part of the haptophytes and posses calcified cells called coccoliths.

Question 2

What are the characteristics of cocolithophores?

Answer 2

Have an external skeleton of scales called coccoliths

Question 3

Where in the marine environment do cocolithophores occur?

Answer 3

The ideal place for them to occur is on the surface of relatively still water in mild temperatures (subtropical areas) and nutrient poor water

Question 4

What is the major ecological significance of the cocolithophores?

Answer 4

Some thought to be the largest global producer of calcium carbonate, hence a major sink for CO2