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Species
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Species

Species - Alexandrium tamarense

Scientific name:
Alexandrium tamarense ((Lebour, 1925) Balech 1985)
Common name:
toxic dinoflagellate
General description:
Summary Description

Alexandrium tamarense is a toxic dinoflagellate. It is a single celled organism, occasionally seen as chains of 2 or 4 cells. These chains are active and swim with a whirling motion. Cells in chains are not compressed (as seen in A. catenella). Sizes of A. tamarense cells range from 25-45 µm, with the cells being roughly spherical in shape. Cells are green-brown in colour and have a distinct 'girdle' flagellum around the cell. Cysts of A. tamarense are clear-walled, ovoid or cylindrical in shape, and have rounded ends. They range in size from 35-50 µm long and 20-30 µm wide.
Australian distribution:
Established
Detected in:
New South Wales
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Invasion status:

Cryptogenic

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Caption:
Alexandrium tamarense cells - NIMPIS.

Source:
Copyright Notice: Dr Christopher Bolch. Acknowledge: true
Caption:
Alexandrium tamarense cyst - NIMPIS.

Source:
Copyright Notice: Dr Christopher Bolch. Acknowledge: true
Caption:
Alexandrium tamarense diagram & key features. Plankton cells: small armoured cells (25-45 µm), usually single cells, pore on margin of 1′ plate, 6′ plate wide. Sediment cysts: clear, ovoid or cylindrical (35-50 µm long, 20-30 µm across), mucilaginous cyst covering. globular cyst contents with dark accumulation body.

Source:
Copyright Notice: Diagram by Chris Bolch, CSIRO Marine Research. Acknowledge: true

Last modified: 13 February 2020