 Pyrocyctis fusiformis E.Widder/Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution * 1999 |
Single-celled plankton are called dinoflagellates. They are the most bioluminescent organisms in both costal and epipelagic zones of the oceans. Bioluminescence is present in both autotropic and heterotrophic species. Dinoflagellates are very common throughout the ocean and are the cause of the "red tide" phenomenon. There have been many studies to study the "flow-stimulated" bioluminescence (basically, bioluminescence initiated by contact) as this contributes to the defense mechanisms of other marine animals. (3) |  E.Widder/Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution * 1999 |
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