What is the scientific name of dinoflagellates?
Dinoflagellata
Dinoflagellates/Scientific names
Dinoflagellates belong to the phylum Dinoflagellata of the Superphylum Alveolata. They are found in marine and freshwater. Most of the identified species are marine (about 1500-1700). About 220 have been described as freshwater species.
Where is dinoflagellate found?
Dinoflagellates are single-cell organisms that can be found in streams, rivers, and freshwater ponds. 90% of all dinoflagellates are found living in the ocean. They are better referred to as algae and there are nearly 2000 known living species.
Who discovered dinoflagellates?
The first modern dinoflagellate was described by Baker in 1753, the first species was formally named by Muller in 1773. The first fossil forms were described by Ehrenberg in the 1830’s from flint of Cretaceous age.
How many cells does a dinoflagellate have?
Dinoflagellates are the second group with about 2000 species, which achieve densities of 107–108 cells per liter (Taylor, Hoppenrath, & Saldarriaga, 2008) and power coral reefs or kill shellfish, the most abundant predators in soil.
What is chlorophyta in biology?
Chlorophyta is a taxonomic group (a phylum) comprised of green algae that live in marine habitats. Some of them are found in freshwater and on land. Some species have even become adapted to thriving in extreme environments, such as deserts, arctic regions, and hypersaline habitats.
What is the function of the dinoflagellate?
Dinoflagellates are an important component of marine ecosystems as primary producers as well as parasites, symbionts, and micrograzers. They also produce some of the most potent toxins known and are the main source of toxic red tides and other forms of fish and shellfish poisoning.
Why do we call dinoflagellate as Armoured shape?
The dinoflagellate cell is banded by a median or coiled groove, the annulus, which contains a flagellum. So-called armoured dinoflagellates are covered with cellulose plates, which may have long spiny extensions; some species lacking armour have a thin pellicle (protective layer).
Are dinoflagellates algae or protozoa?
The chloroplasts of euglenophytes and dinoflagellates have been suggested to be the vestiges of endosymbiotic algae acquired during the process of evolution. However, the evolutionary positions of these organisms are still inconclusive, and they have been tentatively classified as both algae and protozoa.
What is the typical life cycle of a dinoflagellate?
A phytoplankton species life cycle comprises four main phases: growth (mitotic and asexual), sexuality (meiotic), quiescence (a sexual or asexual immobile stage with a low metabolic rate which is popularly named cyst) and senescence (population decline and death) (von Dassow and Montresor 2010).
Why are dinoflagellates called dinoflagellates?
Etymology. The term “dinoflagellate” is a combination of the Greek dinos and the Latin flagellum. Dinos means “whirling” and signifies the distinctive way in which dinoflagellates were observed to swim. Flagellum means “whip” and this refers to their flagella.
What is the definition of dinoflagellates in biology?
dinoflagellate, (division Dinoflagellata), any of numerous one-celled aquatic organisms bearing two dissimilar flagella and having characteristics of both plants and animals. Most are marine, though some live in freshwater habitats.
How many types of dinosaurs are there in the world?
For the sake of convenience, the dinosaur family is divided into two main groups. To vastly simplify the story, starting about 230 million years ago a subgroup of archosaurs split off into two types of dinosaurs, distinguished by the structure of their hip bones.
How are dinosaurs different from the other animals?
Technically, dinosaurs can be distinguished from the other animals descended from archosaurs ( pterosaurs and crocodiles) by a handful of anatomical quirks. Chief among these is posture: dinosaurs had either an upright, bipedal gait (like that of modern birds), or if they were quadrupeds, a stiff,…
Who is the author of the Big Book of dinosaurs?
Bob Strauss is a science writer and the author of several books, including “The Big Book of What, How and Why” and “A Field Guide to the Dinosaurs of North America.”
What are the alternative names for Dinoflagellata?
Alternative Titles: Dinoflagellata, Dinoflagellida, Pyrrhophyta, Pyrrophycophyta, Pyrrophyta. Dinoflagellate, (division Dinoflagellata), any of numerous one-celled aquatic organisms bearing two dissimilar flagella and having characteristics of both plants and animals.