Marine benthic dinoflagellate genera (Dinophyceae)

This key includes 61 of the benthic dinoflagellate genera, excluding Glenodinium and Symbiodiniales.

Dinoflagellates are protists (unicellular eukaryotes) of microscopic size (most 10–100 μm). The taxonomy of dinoflagellates is dealing with morphospecies concepts, the most practical and informative approach describing and distinguishing species in the past as well as today (Hoppenrath 2017). Recent taxonomical publications contain molecular phylogenetic analyses, in many cases supporting species and genus delimitations. The number of living dinoflagellate species is estimated to be 2,000 to 2,500 assigned to approximately 300 genera, of which about 240 species in 63 genera are marine benthic taxa (Hoppenrath et al. 2023).

This key is part (appendix) of the book “Marine benthic dinoflagellates – their relevance for science and society” (Hoppenrath et al. 2023).

Authors: Mona Hoppenrath & Tanja Wilke