What are dinoflagellates?
Q: What are dinoflagellates?
A: Dinoflagellates are a group of flagellate protists that are either photosynthetic or heterotroph predators of other protists.
Q: Are all dinoflagellates photosynthetic?
A: No, only about half of dinoflagellates are photosynthetic, while the rest are heterotroph predators.
Q: What are the different names for photosynthetic and predatory dinoflagellates?
A: The photosynthetic dinoflagellates are sometimes called 'algae' and the predatory dinoflagellates are sometimes called 'protozoa'.
Q: In what environments are dinoflagellates commonly found?
A: Dinoflagellates are most commonly found in marine plankton, but they are also common in freshwater habitats.
Q: What factors affect dinoflagellate populations?
A: Dinoflagellate populations are affected by sea surface temperature, salinity, and depth.
Q: How many species of free-living marine dinoflagellates are currently described?
A: About 1,555 species of free-living marine dinoflagellates are currently described.
Q: How many total species of dinoflagellates are estimated to exist?
A: The latest estimates suggest a total of 2,294 living dinoflagellate species, which includes marine, freshwater, and parasitic species.
