Genus Prorocentrum Ehrenberg, 1834
Cells armoured. Small to medium-sized cells that vary from spheroid to pyriform in valve view. Cells with chloroplasts. Valves can be convex to concave in lateral view. Cell with two anterior dissimilar flagella. In some, both emerge out of one flagellar pore. The second pore between periflagellar plates (if present) may be associated with mucoid production and substrate attachment. In some species, flagella emerge from two separate pores. Some species with anterior winged spines, termed 'tooth', or anterior short projections. Surface markings vary from poroids to pores, and from areolae to short spines. Internally, many species with a central pyrenoid, a posterior nucleus, and anterior vacuoles. Two opposing valves, one designated left and the other right. Small periflagellar plates (5-14) indent the anterior margin of the right valve comprising the periflagellar area. 8 species are most common.
Species can be planktonic or benthic/epiphytic (tychoplanktonic); if the latter they can attach to a substratum via a mucoid holdfast or thread. Many plankton species are bloom species; many benthic species are toxic and reach high cell concentrations.
Remarks: Surface markings in conjunction with shape and size and periflagellar area are conservative and diagnostic features that can be used to separate species. Species of this genus are differentiated based on the following characteristics: 1) size and shape; 2) presence of apical processes; 3) shape of periflagellar area; 4) number and pattern of periflagellar plates; 5) number and size of areolae or poroids; 6) pore pattern; and 7) markings on intercalary bands.
Species included from this genus:
Prorocentrum arenarium Faust, 1994
Prorocentrum balticum (Lohmann) Loeblich, 1970
Prorocentrum belizeanum Faust, 1993a
Prorocentrum caribbaeum Faust, 1993a
Prorocentrum concavum Fukuyo, 1981
Prorocentrum elegans Faust, 1993a
Prorocentrum emarginatum Fukuyo, 1981
Prorocentrum faustiae Morton, 1998
Prorocentrum foraminosum Faust, 1993b
Prorocentrum formosum Faust, 1993b
Prorocentrum gracile Schütt, 1895
Prorocentrum hoffmannianum Faust, 1990b
Prorocentrum lima (Ehrenberg) Dodge, 1975
Prorocentrum maculosum Faust, 1993b
Prorocentrum mexicanum Tafall, 1942
Prorocentrum micans Ehrenberg, 1834
Prorocentrum minimum (Pavillard) Schiller, 1933
Prorocentrum norrisianum Faust, 1997
Prorocentrum panamensis Grzebyk et al., 1998
Prorocentrum reticulatum Faust, 1997
Prorocentrum ruetzlerianum Faust, 1990b
Prorocentrum sabulosum Faust, 1994
Prorocentrum sculptile Faust, 1994
Prorocentrum triestinum Schiller, 1918
Prorocentrum tropicalis Faust, 1997