Noctiluca scintillans

Noctiluca scintillans
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Diaphoretickes
Clade:	SAR
Clade:	Alveolata
Phylum:	Myzozoa
Superclass:	Dinoflagellata
Class:	Noctilucophyceae
Order:	Noctilucales
Family:	Noctilucaceae
Genus:	Noctiluca
Species:	N. scintillans
Binomial name
	Noctiluca scintillans; (Macartney) Kofoid & Swezy, 1921
Synonyms
	Medusa marina Slabber, 1771; Medusa scintillans Macartney, 1810; Noctiluca miliaris Suriray, 1816; Mammaria scintillans Ehrenberg, 1834; Noctiluca marina Ehrenberg, 1834;

Noctiluca scintillans is a marine species of dinoflagellate that can exist in a green or red form, depending on the pigmentation in its vacuoles. It can be found worldwide, but its geographical distribution varies depending on whether it is green or red. 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.