Prymnesiophyceae

The Prymnesiophyceae, also known as Haptophyceae, are a class of algae. Many members of this group possess a unique, hairlike appendage called a haptonema, located between their two flagella. They lack tubular hairs on their flagella and often have organic scales. Some Prymnesiophyceae produce scales that deposit calcium carbonate, forming structures called coccoliths. These coccolith-bearing organisms, known as coccolithophores, can play a role in global warming by absorbing significant amounts of carbon from ocean water. This class is predominantly marine and planktonic, with approximately 300 known species, and many more fossil coccolithophores have been identified.12