| Gymnodiniales | |
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| Karenia brevis, a member of theKareniaceae; this organism is associated withred tides occurring in theGulf of Mexico and producesbrevetoxins that can harm aquatic life.[1] | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
| Clade: | Sar |
| Clade: | Alveolata |
| Phylum: | Myzozoa |
| Superclass: | Dinoflagellata |
| Class: | Dinophyceae |
| Order: | Gymnodiniales |
| Families | |
See text | |
TheGymnodiniales are anorder ofdinoflagellates, of theclassDinophyceae.[2] Members of the order are known asgymnodinioid orgymnodinoid (terms that can also refer to any organism of similar morphology). They areathecate, or lacking an armored exterior, and as a result are relatively difficult to study because specimens are easily damaged. Many species are part of the marineplankton and are of interest primarily due to being found inalgal blooms. As a group the gymnodinioids have been described as "likely one of the least known groups of the open ocean phytoplankton."[3]
Of the families in the order, thePolykrikaceae andWarnowiaceae are well known for possessing exceptionally complex assemblies oforganelles, such asnematocysts,trichocysts, andpistons. The Warnowiaceae uniquely possess anocelloid, an extremely complex light-sensitive subcellular structure composed ofmitochondria andplastids.[4][5]
Authority control databases: National |
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