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Synonym(s)
Medusa marina Slabber 1771
Medusa scintillans Macartney 1810
Noctiluca miliaris Suriray 1816
Mammaria scintillans Ehrenberg 1834
Noctiluca marina Ehrenberg 1834
(Kraberg et al. 2010)
Classification
Empire Eukaryota
Kingdom Protozoa
Subkingdom Biciliata
Infrakingdom Alveolata
Phylum Myzozoa
Subphylum Dinoflagellata
Class Dinophyceae
Subclass
Order Noctilucales
Family Noctilucaceae
Genus Noctiluca
Species N. scintillans (Macartney) Kofoid and Swezy 1921
(Guiry and Guiry 2012)
Lifestyle
Noctiluca scintillans is an athecate heterotrophic dinoflagellate that feeds by phagotrophy (Kraberg et al. 2010). It reproduces sexually by formation of
Close Isogamy The simplest type of sexual reproduction between gametes that are similar in size and shape. Instead of being classified as male and female cells, organisms of different mating types (i.e., different size and shape of gamete) can fuse to form a zygote (Botany Dictionary 2002).
Close Binary fission A form of asexual reproduction where one cell divides into two identical cells. All prokaryotes and some eukaryotes reproduce in this manner. Compare with mitosis, where the nucleus must also divide, adding an extra step to the process.
Description
Noctiluca scintillans is a very large, kidney or balloon-shaped cell. The cell's
Close Epicone In naked dinoflagellates, the anterior part of a dinokont cell above the cingulum. The equivalent of an epitheca for thecate dinoflagellates.
Close Hypocone In naked dinoflagellates, the posterior part of a dinokont cell above the cingulum. The equivalent of a hypotheca for thecate dinoflagellates.
Close Photosynthesis The chemical process by which light energy, water and carbon dioxide are combined to produce oxygen and organic compounds. Photoautotrophic organisms (plants and algae) use this reaction to produce their own food.
Close Vacuole A membrane-bound organelle found in some protists, containing a water solution of organic and inorganic molecules (including enzymes). In some cases, vacuoles may contain engulfed solids (Falkowski et al. 2004).
Close Discoid Disc-shaped.
Close Gamete A reproductive cell (sperm or ovum) that can combine with another reproductive cell to create a new individual.
Measurements
Diameter: 200 - 2000 μm
Similar species
None.
Harmful effects
Blooms are believed to produce high concentrations of ammonium, which may be toxic to fish (Horner 2002). Blooms have also been associated with mortality events in many marine invertebrates (Smithsonian 2012). Although, it does not produce toxins, it is registered as a harmful algal species
Close Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) The rapid growth and/or accumulation of algae in areas of constricted flow which may be harmful to the environment, animals, plants or humans by depleting oxygen, obstructing sunlight, and (in some cases) releasing toxins (Heisler et al. 2008).
Habitat
Noctiluca scintillans is a coastal species (Smithsonian 2012).
Distribution
Geographic:
It is distributed worldwide in cold to warm coastal waters (Horner 2002).
Seasonal:
Large blooms are commonly seen from spring to early summer in Helgoland off northern Germany (Smithsonian 2012). A small peak abundance was also observed in Helgoland from December to January (Uhlig and Sahling 1990).
Growth conditions
Uhlig and Sahling (1990) discovered that in the summer, when Helgoland receives 24 hours of daylight, cells are damaged and their growth is inhibited. Cell reproduction starts in the spring when water temperatures are above 5 °C (Uhlig and Sahling 1990).
Environmental Ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 172
Temperature range (°C): 8.413 - 24.625
Nitrate (μmol L-1): 0.044 - 8.908
Salinity: 17.095 - 35.840
Oxygen (mL L-1): 0.516 - 6.874
Phosphate (μmol L-1): 0.128 - 1.682
Close Silicic acid A general term to describe chemical compounds containing silicon, oxygen and hydrogen with a general formula of [SiOx(OH)4-2x]n. Diatoms polymerize silicic acid into biogenic silica to form their frustules (Azam and Chisholm 1976).
(EOL 2012)
Bloom characteristics
Blooms are bioluminescent and colour the water bright red (Smithsonian 2012). Higher temperatures in summer encourage cell growth, but permanent light inhibits cell growth. N. scintillans blooms in the spring as water temperature increases, but the bloom crashes in late July as days get longer (Uhlig and Sahling 1990).
References
Encylopedia of Life (EOL). 2012. Noctiluca scintillans (Macartney) Kofoid and Swezy 1921. http://eol.org/pages/901153/details. Accessed 29 Feb 2012.
Escalera, L., Pazos, Y., Moroño, A. and Reguera, B. 2007. Noctiluca scintillans may act as a vector of toxigenic microalgae. Harmful Algae. 6(3): 317-320.
Guiry, M. D. and Guiry, G. M. 2012. Noctiluca scintillans (Macartney) Kofoid and Swezy 1921. http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=55371. Accessed 29 Feb 2012.
Horner, R. A. 2002. A Taxonomic Guide To Some Common Phytoplankton. Biopress Limited, Dorset Press, Dorchester, UK. 200.
Kraberg, A., Baumann, M. and Durselen, C. D. 2010. Coastal Phytoplankton Photo Guide for Northern European Seas. Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, Munchen, Germany. 203.
Smithsonian Institution. 2012. Noctiluca scintillans (Macartney) Kofoid and Swezy 1921. http://botany.si.edu/references/dinoflag/Taxa/Nscintillans.htm. Accessed 29 Feb 2012.
Uhlig, G. and Sahling, G. 1990. Long-term studies on Noctiluca scintillans in the German Bight population dynamics and red tide phenomena 1968-1988. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research. 25(1-2): 101-112.
