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Dinoflagellates are mostly marine plankton, but they are also common in freshwater habitats. Their populations vary with sea surface temperature, salinity, and depth. Many dinoflagellates are photosynthetic, but a large fraction of these are in fact mixotrophic, combining photosynthesis with ingestion of prey (phagotrophy and myzocytosis). [6] [7]
Mixotrophic dinoflagellates have the ability to thrive in changing ocean environments, resulting in shifts in red tide phenomenon and paralytic shellfish poisoning. [6] It is unknown as to how many species of dinoflagellates have mixotrophic capabilities, as this is a relatively new feeding-mechanism discovery.
At night, ocean water can light up internally and sparkle with blue light because of these dinoflagellates. [ 81 ] [ 82 ] Bioluminescent dinoflagellates possess scintillons , individual cytoplasmic bodies which contain dinoflagellate luciferase , the main enzyme involved in the luminescence.
All dinoflagellates and nanoflagellates (choanoflagellates, silicoflagellates, most green algae) [12] [13] (Other protists go through a phase as gametes when they have temporary flagellum – some radiolarians , foraminiferans and Apicomplexa )
Ceratium dinoflagellates have a unique adaptation that allows them to store compounds in a vacuole that they can use for growth when nutrients become unavailable. [ 11 ] They are also known to move actively in the water column to receive maximum sunlight and nutrients for growth. [ 10 ]
This is an accepted version of this page This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 25 January 2025. Organisms living in water or air that are drifters on the current or wind This article is about the marine organisms. For other uses, see Plankton (disambiguation). Marine microplankton and mesoplankton Part of the contents of one dip of a hand net. The image contains diverse planktonic ...
At night, ocean water can light up internally and sparkle with blue light because of these dinoflagellates. [ 210 ] [ 211 ] Bioluminescent dinoflagellates possess scintillons , individual cytoplasmic bodies which contain dinoflagellate luciferase , the main enzyme involved in the luminescence.
Some dinoflagellates are predatory, and thus belong to the zooplankton community. Their name comes from the Greek "dinos" meaning whirling and the Latin "flagellum" meaning a whip or lash. This refers to the two whip-like attachments (flagella) used for forward movement. Most dinoflagellates are protected with red-brown, cellulose armour.