ClipArt ETC
Chaetognatha is a phylum of predatory marine worms that are a major component of plankton worldwide. About 20% of the known species are benthic and can attach to algae or rocks. They are found in all marine waters from surface tropical waters and shallow tide pools to the deep sea and polar regions. Most chaetognaths are transparent and are torpedo shaped. Some deep-sea species are orange. They range in size from 2 mm to 12 cm. The common term for the phylum is Arrow Worms. There are more than 120 modern species assigned to over 20 genera. Despite the limited diversity of species, the number of individuals is staggering.

Chaetognatha

Chaetognatha is a phylum of predatory marine worms that are a major component of plankton worldwide.…

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…

An illustration of Noticulales with buds. The Noctilucales are a peculiar order of marine dinoflagellates. They differ from most others in that the mature cell is diploid and its nucleus does not show a dinokaryotic organization. These cells are very large, from 1 to 2 millimetres in diameter, and are filled with large buoyant vacuoles. Some may contain symbiotic green algae, but there are no chloroplasts. Instead, they feed on other plankton, and there is usually a special tentacle involved in ingestion.

Noctilucales

An illustration of Noticulales with buds. The Noctilucales are a peculiar order of marine dinoflagellates.…

An illustration of Noticulales in section: an, anus; d, denticle; f, flagellum; t, tentacle. The Noctilucales are a peculiar order of marine dinoflagellates. They differ from most others in that the mature cell is diploid and its nucleus does not show a dinokaryotic organization. These cells are very large, from 1 to 2 millimetres in diameter, and are filled with large buoyant vacuoles. Some may contain symbiotic green algae, but there are no chloroplasts. Instead, they feed on other plankton, and there is usually a special tentacle involved in ingestion.

Noctilucales

An illustration of Noticulales in section: an, anus; d, denticle; f, flagellum; t, tentacle. The Noctilucales…

The Noctilucales are a peculiar order of marine dinoflagellates. They differ from most others in that the mature cell is diploid and its nucleus does not show a dinokaryotic organization. These cells are very large, from 1 to 2 millimetres in diameter, and are filled with large buoyant vacuoles. Some may contain symbiotic green algae, but there are no chloroplasts. Instead, they feed on other plankton, and there is usually a special tentacle involved in ingestion.

Noctilucales

The Noctilucales are a peculiar order of marine dinoflagellates. They differ from most others in that…

A type of protozoa in the ocean.

Radiolarian

A type of protozoa in the ocean.

Echlanis macrura is a species of rotifer, a microscopic planktonic animal.

Rotifer

Echlanis macrura is a species of rotifer, a microscopic planktonic animal.