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A new pelagophyte genus and species, Aureoscheda bahamensis, were described from a shallow marine habitat on the north shore of San Salvador Island Bahamas, Caribbean Sea. The alga typically appeared as small, delicate golden sheets that reached ∼ 10 mm; however, earlier stages may have been sacs that ultimately split open into the flat monostromatic blades. Cells were ∼ 5 pm wide and 10 pm long in dried material that was re-hydrated. There were two chloroplasts per cell, and each cell was surrounded by a thin cell wall. Cells were held together in a gelatinous matrix, and cells were regularly arranged in rows. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted using the plastid encoded psaA, psaB and rbcL genes. Results placed the new alga in the class Pelagophyceae, order Sarcinochrysidales. Aureoscheda bahamensis was a sister to CCMP1410 (undescribed coccoid organism), Chrysoreinhardia and Aureoumbra in a combined molecular phylogenetic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]