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"Various forms of Dinoflagellata. 1. Glenodinium 2. Ceratium 3. Prorocentrum 4. Polykrikos. 2 shows the shell only; 4a is an undischarged, and b a discharged stinging-capsule; chr, chromatophores; fl. 1, longitudinal flagellum; fl. 2, transverse flagellum; l. gr, longitudinal groove; ntc, nematocyst; nu, meganucleus; nu, micronucleus; pg, pigment spot; t. gr, transverse groove." -Parker, 1900

Dinoflagellates

"Various forms of Dinoflagellata. 1. Glenodinium 2. Ceratium 3. Prorocentrum 4. Polykrikos. 2 shows…

An illustration of the Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans, also published as Noctiluca miliaris, is a free-living non-parasitic marine-dwelling species of dinoflagellate that exhibits bioluminescence. The bioluminescent characteristic of N. scintillans is produced by a luciferin-luciferase system located in thousands of spherically shaped organelles, or "microsources", located throughout the cytoplasm of this single-celled protist. Nonluminescent populations within the genus Noctiluca lack these microsources.

Noctiluca Scintillans

An illustration of the Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans, also published as Noctiluca miliaris,…

An illustration of the aboral side view of the Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans, also published as Noctiluca miliaris, is a free-living non-parasitic marine-dwelling species of dinoflagellate that exhibits bioluminescence. The bioluminescent characteristic of N. scintillans is produced by a luciferin-luciferase system located in thousands of spherically shaped organelles, or "microsources", located throughout the cytoplasm of this single-celled protist. Nonluminescent populations within the genus Noctiluca lack these microsources.

Aboral Side View of the Noctiluca Scintillans

An illustration of the aboral side view of the Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans, also published…

An illustration of the lateral view of the Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans, also published as Noctiluca miliaris, is a free-living non-parasitic marine-dwelling species of dinoflagellate that exhibits bioluminescence. The bioluminescent characteristic of N. scintillans is produced by a luciferin-luciferase system located in thousands of spherically shaped organelles, or "microsources", located throughout the cytoplasm of this single-celled protist. Nonluminescent populations within the genus Noctiluca lack these microsources.

Lateral View of Noctiluca Scintillans

An illustration of the lateral view of the Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans, also published…

An illustration of the first stage of fission in the Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans, also published as Noctiluca miliaris, is a free-living non-parasitic marine-dwelling species of dinoflagellate that exhibits bioluminescence. The bioluminescent characteristic of N. scintillans is produced by a luciferin-luciferase system located in thousands of spherically shaped organelles, or "microsources", located throughout the cytoplasm of this single-celled protist. Nonluminescent populations within the genus Noctiluca lack these microsources.

Stage One in the Fission of Noctiluca Scintillans

An illustration of the first stage of fission in the Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans, also…

An illustration of the second stage of fission in the Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans, also published as Noctiluca miliaris, is a free-living non-parasitic marine-dwelling species of dinoflagellate that exhibits bioluminescence. The bioluminescent characteristic of N. scintillans is produced by a luciferin-luciferase system located in thousands of spherically shaped organelles, or "microsources", located throughout the cytoplasm of this single-celled protist. Nonluminescent populations within the genus Noctiluca lack these microsources.

Stage Two in the Fission of Noctiluca Scintillans

An illustration of the second stage of fission in the Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans,…

An illustration of the young stages of Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans, also published as Noctiluca miliaris, is a free-living non-parasitic marine-dwelling species of dinoflagellate that exhibits bioluminescence. The bioluminescent characteristic of N. scintillans is produced by a luciferin-luciferase system located in thousands of spherically shaped organelles, or "microsources", located throughout the cytoplasm of this single-celled protist. Nonluminescent populations within the genus Noctiluca lack these microsources.

Young Stage of Noctiluca Scintillans

An illustration of the young stages of Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans, also published…

An illustration of the young stages of Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans, also published as Noctiluca miliaris, is a free-living non-parasitic marine-dwelling species of dinoflagellate that exhibits bioluminescence. The bioluminescent characteristic of N. scintillans is produced by a luciferin-luciferase system located in thousands of spherically shaped organelles, or "microsources", located throughout the cytoplasm of this single-celled protist. Nonluminescent populations within the genus Noctiluca lack these microsources.

Young Stage of Noctiluca Scintillans

An illustration of the young stages of Noctiluca scintillans. Noctiluca scintillans, also published…