| Major Taxonomic
Group: Dinoflagellates
Size and Shape:
Round, very flattened
cells 14-22 µm in diameter. Has a short sometimes difficult
to spot apical spine. Surface is covered in short, broad-based
spines.
Plastids and
Pigments: Plastids
are numerous discoid and yellow-green or green.
Distinguishing
features: The flattened
shape of the cell and the short apical spine and surface papillae.
Distribution:
Worldwide, usually
most common in estuaries can be foud in cold temperate to tropical
waters..
Impact: Toxic,
can form large blooms
and causes shellfish poisoning and fish kills.
References:
Lewitus,
A.J., Schmidt, L.B.,
Mason, L.J., Kempton, J.W., Wilde, S.B., Wolny, J.L., Williams, B.J.,
Hayes,
K.C., Hymel, S.N., Keppler, C.J., and Ringwood, A.H. (2003) Harmful
algal
blooms in South Carolina residential and golf course ponds. Population
and Environment. 24: 387-413.
Hansen, G. & Larsen, J. 1992.
Dinoflagellater i danske farvande.
In: Thomsen, H. A. (ed.) Plankton i de indre danske farvande.
Havforskning
fra Miljøstyrelsen, Copenhagen, p. 45-155.
Steidinger K. A. & Tangen, K. 1996.
Dinoflagellates. In: Tomas,
C. R. (ed.) Identifying marine diatoms and dinoflagellates. Academic
Press,
Inc., San Diego, p. 387-584. |
