Lingulodinium polyedrum

Bioluminescence of L. polyedrum in the surf of Solana Beach, California

Lingulodinium polyedrum ( synonym: Gonyaulax polyedra, Stone 1883) is an autotrophic, marine, thekater dinoflagellate, which is capable of bioluminescence. For mass reproduction of these organisms can cause a red tide.

The German Botanical Society has Lingulodinium polyedrum appointed alga of the year 2013.

Features

Cells of Lingulodinium polyedrum are angular and roughly pentagonal polyhedral shape. The size of the cells is 40-54 microns in length and 37-53 microns in diameter. There are neither an apical horn still antapicale setae present ( compared with Ceratium ). The thecal plates are thick. Along the plate boundaries thickened edges are formed. L. polyedrum has orange-brown chloroplasts that contain the unusual carotenoid peridinin. The nucleus is C-shaped, are also a pulsating vacuole and luminescent Scintillons available. L. polyedrum is brought with the poison saxitoxin in connection, which can cause in humans shellfish poisoning when the toxin is accumulated by mussels.

Dinocysts

If the living conditions are unfavorable, for example, during the collapse of a plankton bloom, L. polyedrum resting stages may form. Cysts L. polyedrum are more or less round to ellipsoid. The hard shell is broken rather than to deform. The surface is granular and covered with many long, pointed, dagger -shaped extensions. The cysts can be used fossilieren and biostratigraphy. Fossil cysts of L. polyedrum have been handed down since the upper Paleozoic.

Bioluminescence

L. polyedrum can create intense bioluminescence in warm coastal waters in strong proliferation. Such outbreaks ( Red Tide ) were observed, for example, in front of San Diego ( Southern California ) or in the Adriatic, with cell densities up to 2 × 10 ^ 7 cells per liter occurred. Source of bioluminescence are specialized organelle, the Scintillions. These add a short flash of light when the cell is stimulated mechanically or chemically.