Sinophysis canaliculata sp. nov. (Dinophyceae), a new benthic dinoflagellate from western Indian Ocean islands

Abstract

A new benthic marine dinoflagellate, Sinophysis canaliculata Quod, Ten-Hage, Turquet, Mascarell et Couté sp. nov., was isolated from coral and sediment samples from sites in the western Indian Ocean. This new species is described and illustrated by drawings and light and scanning electron micrographs. Members of Sinophysis Nie et Wang are generally laterally flattened with circular outlines. The new species differ from others of the genus in the following characters: cell shape and size and features of thecal plates (plate shapes, size and number of valve pores, presence of a narrow thecal cut in the left hypothecal plate). Sinophysis canaliculata is heterotrophic, lacking any chloroplasts.