Is Noctiluca scintillans a microorganism?
This unicellular microorganism is known for its ability to bioluminesce, giving the water a bright blue glow seen at night. However, blooms of this species can be responsible for environmental hazards, such as toxic red tides. They may also be an indicator of anthropogenic eutrophication.
Is Noctiluca toxic?
Abstract. Intense blooms of the heterotrophic dinoflagellate, green Noctiluca scintillans, have been reported annually in the Northern Arabian Sea since the early 2000s. Although not known to produce organic toxins, these blooms are still categorized as a harmful due to their association with massive fish mortalities.
Why are Noctiluca scintillans important?
Noctiluca scintillans Macartney, 1810 is a marine planktonic dinoflagellate capable to have bioluminescent characteristics. Noctiluca scintillans is a cosmopolitan organism, found in tropical and subtropical waters, recorded as one of the most important species causing red tide in many areas of the world1.
Is Noctiluca a protozoa?
The Noctiluca scintillans have a flagellum that is a hair-like structure that facilitates locomotion and is also a distinct identity of the phylum protozoa Mastigophora. They are phyla of single-celled protozoans.
What is Noctiluca biology?
Noctiluca, genus of marine dinoflagellate in the family Noctilucaceae, consisting of a single species, Noctiluca scintillans (or N. miliaris), one of the most commonly occurring bioluminescent organisms in coastal regions of the world.
Are dinoflagellates harmful to humans?
Dinoflagellates are best known for the “red tides” they can produce, some of which involve the production of toxins that can impact human health through respiratory irritation or even the bioaccumulation of lethal concentrations in tainted shellfish.
Are sea sparkles toxic?
Other species, such as the sea sparkle, are not as toxic, but can still have unpleasant effects on wildlife.
Is Noctiluca a diatom?
Highlights. The rapid increase of Red Noctiluca scintillans just after the diatom bloom was observed at the coastal water in Japan. Some diatom species which constituted the diatom bloom was observed in the food vacuoles of N.
Does Noctiluca cause red tide?
A red tide caused by Noctiluca scintillans (Macartney) Ehrenb., affected numerous beaches in Hong Kong in June 1971. The red tide followed closely in the wake of a typhoon. It is suggested that the typhoon created optimum conditions suitable for the abnormal blooming of an already established population of Noctiluca.
What disease does dinoflagellates cause?
PSP is a worldwide marine toxin disease with both neurologic and gastrointestinal symptoms, which is caused by the consumption of shellfish contaminated by toxic dinoflagellates [21]. The first PSP event was reported in 1927 near San Francisco, USA, and was caused by a dinoflagellate, A.
What algae is responsible for red tide?
dinoflagellates
At least three species of dinoflagellates and one diatom species are responsible for the toxic mess of red tides in the United States. These microscopic forms of algae produce toxins that can sicken humans and be fatal for marine animals.
What protists cause red tide?
Red tide is the name given to a type of harmful algal bloom. The organism that causes these events in Florida is a type of plankton called a dinoflagellate. Dinoflagellates are neither plant nor animal, but they have characteristics of both. They belong to the group of organisms referred to as protists.