Construction of a coccolithophore database platform for ecological and molecular applications

Coccolithophores play a critical role in marine carbon cycling and biogeochemical processes, yet their ecological distribution and in situ abundance remain understood. This study introduces an open-access coccolithophore database, integrating global occurrence records of Gephyrocapsa huxleyi and Chrysotila spp. from multiple microalgal datasets. The platform integrates taxonomic, distributional, and ecological information of coccolithophores, offering BLAST-based sequence analysis and user data submission features to enhance ecological monitoring and functional studies. To evaluate the database's utility and quantify field abundance, we developed and validated species-specific qPCR primers, demonstrating high specificity and efficiency. Application in Daya Bay, China, revealed G. huxleyi as dominant in offshore and central regions, while C. dentata showed lower abundance, confined to nearshore areas. QPCR-based estimates aligned closely with microscopy-based counts (R² > 0.89), affirming method reliability. This study provides a robust digital framework and molecular tools, advancing systematic monitoring of coccolithophore communities and their contributions to oceanic carbon cycling.