Prorocentrales

Prorocentrum emarginatum, showing plastids, observed in marine muds and sandy sediments in the vicinity of Broome, Western Australia in September 2003. This image was taken using differential interference contrast optics.   This work was supported by the Australian Biological Resources Study.

Prorocentrum emarginatum, an empty valve, observed in marine muds and sandy sediments in the vicinity of Broome, Western Australia in September 2003. This image was taken using phase contrast optics.   This work was supported by the Australian Biological Resources Study.

Prorocentrum (pro-row-sent-rum) lima (Ehrenberg) Dodge 1975. The image shows one of the two valves of a cell. The cingulum is not visible. The plastids are yellow-brown, and surround a large circular pyrenoid in the centre of the cell.

Prorocentrum lima valves are oval, 40 - 45 microns long, 27-33 microns wide , length to width ratio 1.3 - 1.5. Valve surface smooth. Valve pores scattered except in the centre, 58 - 80 per cell, approximately 0.3 microns diameter, round, oval to slightly kidney shaped. Marginal pores around periphery of cell, 51-74 per cell, round to oval approximately 0.3 microns diameter. Intercalary band smooth. Apical area consists of a small triangular indentation. A small flange (apical collar) is present. Plastids large, orange-brown. A pyrenoid, 7 - 8 microns diameter, is situated centrally. Nucleus in the posterior of the valve.

Prorocentrum (pro-row-sent-rum) mexicanum Tafall 1942. The image shows the valve of a cell. The plastid is yellow-brown. There is a small apical spine present. The cingulum is not visible.