Gymnodinium catenatum

Plate 23. Gymnodinium catenatum. Figs. 1-3. SEM: ventral view. Fig. 1. Cell small, elongate-ovoid with slight dorso-ventral compression. Conical apex; rounded and notched antapex. Cingulum (C) excavated; sulcus (S) long. Distinctive horse-shoe shaped apical groove (AG) encircles apex. Fig. 2. Two cell chain; attachment point visible (arrow). Premedian cingulum displaced 2X its width. Longitudinal (LF) and transverse (TF) flagella visible. Fig. 3. Chain cells with anterior-posterior compression. Terminal cell slightly longer. Thecal surface rugose to smooth (Blackburn et al. 1989). Figs. 4-5. LM. Fig. 4. Chain-formation (Yuki and Yoshimatsu 1987). Fig. 5. Single cell. Conical epitheca with concave to flat apex. Bilobed hypotheca (arrow). Fig. 6. Line drawing. Fig. 7. SEM: cyst with microreticulations. ag=apical groove; c=cingulum

Gymnodinium catenatum (jim-know-din-ee-um) is a chain forming motile species. This chain contains 16 cells, but the chains may be of differing lengths, and other genera may form similar chains. Cells coloured because of presence of chloroplasts. This species produces a toxin that is harmful to humans, and because of the toxicity, correct identification is important and requires expert input which can be obtained from other sites such as IOC Harmful Algal Bloom Program. Dark ground illumination. data on this strain.

Gymnodinium catenatum (jim-know-din-ee-um) is a chain forming motile species associated with the production of toxins. Girdle (equatorial grooves) visible. Because of the toxicity, correct identification is important and needs expert input, which can be obtained from other sites such as IOC Harmful Algal Bloom Program. Phase contrast microscopy. data on this strain.

Gymnodinium catenatum (jim-know-din-ee-um) is a chain forming motile species associated with the production of toxins. This image of the ventral surface of several cells shows the equatorial groove or girdle and longitudinal groove or cingulum. Flagella can also be seen. Because of the toxicity, correct identification is important and needs expert input, which can be obtained from other sites such as IOC Harmful Algal Bloom Program. Differential interference microscopy. data on this strain.