Ornithocercus

Ornithocercus
Ornithocercus splendidus at 74 m in the Ionian Sea
Ornithocercus splendidus at 74 m in the Ionian Sea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: SAR
Clade: Alveolata
Phylum: Myzozoa
Superclass: Dinoflagellata
Class: Dinophyceae
Order: Dinophysiales
Family: Dinophysaceae
Genus: Ornithocercus
Stein
Species[1]

Ornithocercus is a genus of planktonic dinoflagellate that is known for its complex morphology that features considerable lists growing from its thecal plates, giving an attractive appearance.[2] Discovered in 1883, this genus has a small number of species currently categorized but is widespread in tropical and sub-tropical oceans.[3] The genus is marked by exosymbiotic bacteria gardens under its lists, the inter-organismal dynamics of which are a current field of research.[4] As they reside only in warm water, the genus has been used as a proxy for climate change and has potential to be an indicator species for environmental change if found in novel environments.[5]

  1. ^ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2018). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Ornithocercus Stein, 1883. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=109464 on 2018-08-23
  2. ^ Saifullah, SM; Gul, S; Kha, M (2008). "The dinoflagellate genus Ornithocercus stein from North Arabian sea shelf of Pakistan". Pakistan Journal of Botany. 40: 849–857 – via ResearchGate.
  3. ^ Taylor, F. J. R. (1973), General Features of Dinoflagellate Material Collected by the "Anton Bruun" during the International Indian Ocean Expedition, Ecological Studies, vol. 3, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, pp. 155–169, doi:10.1007/978-3-642-65468-8_11, ISBN 9783642654701
  4. ^ Tarangkoon, W; Hansen, G; Hansen, Pj (2010-01-07). "Spatial distribution of symbiont-bearing dinoflagellates in the Indian Ocean in relation to oceanographic regimes". Aquatic Microbial Ecology. 58: 197–213. doi:10.3354/ame01356. ISSN 0948-3055.
  5. ^ Kim, Hyeung-Sin; Kim, Seung-Hyun; Jung, Min-Min; Lee, Joon-Baek (2013-12-27). "New Record of Dinoflagellates around Jeju Island". Journal of Ecology and Environment. 36 (4): 273–291. doi:10.5141/ecoenv.2013.273. ISSN 2287-8327.