Gymnodinium catenatum Graham (Dinophyceae): morphology and affinities with armoured forms

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Abstract
Samples of the unarmored dinoflagellate G. catenatum Graham, collected from the plankton during an outbreak of paralytic shellfish-poisoning, were examined with light microscopy and EM. No thecal plates were seen. Instead, a pellicular layer surrounded the cells. Cell size and shape, nucleus shape and position, cingulum arrangement, the pellicular layer, chain formation, apical markings, toxicity and possibly cyst morphology indicate close affinities with members of the thecate genus Protogonyaulax Taylor.