Pyrrhophyta: Dinophyceae Dinoflagellates
General Structure
General Characteristics Most are solitary Most have two flagella of unequal lentgth Cellulose cell wall of thecal plates; or naked Ceratium exhibits cyclomorphosis blooms color water brown, have fish/septic odor Food reserves are iodine negative starch
Peridinium
Ceratium
Red Tide
Red Tide In marine ecosystems, can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) Gonyaulax tamarensis
Pfiesteria Noctiluca, sea sparkle Pfisteria is heterotrophic an ambush predator. secretes a toxin that paralyzes the respiratory system of susceptible fish (e.g., Menhaden) feeds on sloughed cells from dead fish
Reproduction Asexual by binary fission Sexual