This publication presents the first summary of our knowledge of benthic dinoflagellate species.
Dinoflagellates are important primary producers and symbionts but at the same time also
consumers and parasites. Species compositions of benthic habitats are quite distinct from those
of planktonic habitats. Less than 10% of the approximately 2000 described extant dinoflagellate
species appear to be benthic. They occur in different types of habitats (chapter II) and their
morphology their behavior and some of their life cycles (chapter VI) seem to be well adapted
to the benthic lifestyle. Information on their geographic distribution is still very limited
and is compiled herein (chapter V). The study of harmful benthic dinoflagellates started in the
late 1970s when it was suspected that a benthic species later named Gambierdiscus toxicus was
responsible for ciguatera fish poisoning a type of human poisoning linked to the consumption
of certain species of tropical reef fish. As the number of ciguatera fish poisoning incidents
increases and the distribution of toxin producing benthic taxa seems to be expanding detailed
understanding of the species diversity and the ability to accurately identify them is becoming
increasingly important (chapter VII). Dinoflagellate classification is currently undergoing
changes and far from being settled as new species and genera are discovered and systematic
entities are rearranged. Many benthic dinoflagellate genera have unusual morphologies and
appear to be only remotely related to known planktonic taxa so that molecular phylogenetic
analyses frequently show little statistical support for any relationship (chapter IV). Benthic
species display unique thecal plate arrangements compared to planktonic species e.g. Adenoides
Amphidiniella Cabra Planodinium Sabulodinium Rhinodinium (chapter III). Therefore no
classification on higher rank levels (e.g. family order) was used throughout this book. Genera
(and species within a genus) are presented in alphabetical order. The book presents the first
comprehensive identification help for benthic dinoflagellates. At the same time it aims to lend
support in order to improve monitoring efforts worldwide. About 190 species in 45 genera are
presented in detail illustrated with more than 200 color images approximately 150 scanning
electron micrographs and more than 250 drawings.
