Gargamella
Gargamella is a genus of marine dinoflagellates within the family Gonyaulacaceae. This genus is characterized by the presence of a distinctive apical pore, often referred to as the “Gargamella pore,” and a unique combination of other morphological features. Gargamella species are commonly found in various marine environments, particularly in coastal waters and upwelling regions.
Common Names
There are no widely recognized common names for species within the genus Gargamella.
Characteristics
Gargamella species are typically characterized by:
- A distinctive apical pore, often referred to as the "Gargamella pore," which is located at the apex of the cell and surrounded by a ring of small plates.
- A unique combination of other morphological features, including the presence of a specific number of plates and the arrangement of these plates on the cell surface.
- A variable number of chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis.
- The ability to produce toxins, although not all Gargamella species are toxic.
Environments
Gargamella species are widely distributed in marine environments, particularly in coastal waters and upwelling regions. They are often found in association with phytoplankton blooms, and some species are known to be harmful algal bloom (HAB) species.