Species: Pyrocystis noctiluca | Dinoflagellate

Order: Gonyaulacales
Family: Pyrocystaceae

Description: Primary vegetative stage is the large (>350um diameter spherical or subspherical), unarmored cell). Produces 1-2 biflagellated armored cells that resemble Alexandrium.

Cell Size: 350um or more

Distribution: Oceanic species. Cosmopolitan in warm temperate to tropical waters.

Common Species: P. lunula and P. noctiluca.