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lingulodinium

lingulodinium

Genus: Lingulodinium | Dinoflagellate

HAB

Common West Coast species: L. polyedra

Order: Gonyaulacales

Family: Gonyaulacaceae

Description: Armored, polyhedral cells without spines or horns. Strong ridges define thecal plate sutures. Chloroplasts present. Forms distinctive cysts.

Cell Size: Width 40-60um

Distribution: Neritic, warm temperate to tropical waters.

Synonym: Lingulodinium polyedra = Gonyaulax polyedra

Interesting Facts: Bioluminescent and toxic (can produce yessotoxin)

IFCB images


image source: D. Tighe, iNaturalist

This Phytoplankton Identification page is affiliated with CeNCOOS and HABMAP, and is maintained by the Kudela Lab at the University of California Santa Cruz. Details about site history, funding, and sources of information and images can be found here.