Prorocentrum faustiae Morton, 1998
Species Overview:
Prorocentrum faustiae is an armoured, marine, benthic dinoflagellate species. This species is associated with macroalge from the Australian Barrier Reef.
Taxonomic Description:
Prorocentum faustiae is a bivalvate species often observed in valve view. Cells are broadly ovate to rotundate with a rugose appearance. Valve centers are concave (Figs. 1,2). Cells are 43-49 µm long and 38-42 µm wide. Small pores (0.1 µm in diameter), probably containing trichocysts, are dense on the valve surface and along the valve perifery (Figs. 1,2). The intercalary band is transversely striated (Fig. 2) (Morton, 1998).
The periflagellar area is a wide triangular, V-shaped region located apically on the right valve (Figs. 1,3). Sixteen apical platelets make up the periflagellar area. Included also are two pores: a large flagellar pore, and a smaller auxiliary pore (Fig. 3) (Morton, 1998).
Morphology and Structure:
Prorocentrum faustiae is a photosynthetic species containing numerous golden-brown chloroplasts and a centrally located pyrenoid. A large kidney-shaped nucleus is situated posteriorly (Morton, 1998).
Reproduction:
Prorocentrum faustiae reproduces asexually by binary fission.
Species Comparison:
Prorocentrum faustiae is similar in shape and size to P. hoffmannianum (45-55 µm long and 40-45 µm wide); however, the former lacks thecal areolae, which are very abundant on the latter. P. faustiae lacks a distinct ridge along the valve perifery which distinguishes this species from P. maculosum (Morton, 1998).