| Lingulodinium polyedrum | |
|---|---|
| L polyedrum in the surf off Solana Beach, California on 25 September 2011. (Exposure: 3 sec / f4 / ISO 3200 / f 210 mm) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukarya |
| Kingdom: | Chromalveolata |
| Superphylum: | Alveolata |
| Phylum: | Dinoflagellata |
| Genus: | Gonyaulax |
| Species: | L. polyedrum |
| Binomial name | |
| Lingulodinium polyedrum Dodge, 1989 |
|
Lingulodinium polyedrum is a species of dinoflagellate, described by Professor Peter Franks of Scripps Institute of Oceanography as brussel sprouts covered in wooden armor that move around a lot. The organism has two forms, the classic thecate shell, and a cyst.
Synonyms
L. polyedrum produces brilliant displays of bioluminescence in warm coastal waters. Seen in Southern California regularly since at least 1901. Some samples have been found to produce saxitoxins and yessotoxins, however, San Diego surfers and open ocean swimmers are often in the surf zone during red tides, suggesting any toxin present is too dilute to have effects.
They are easily visible under 100x magnification (use the 10x or "scanning" objective on most compound microscopes) and their scintillons luminesce in response to surface tension and acidity.
These blooms contain sufficient concentrations of dinoflagellates that they can provide excellent experimental material for students. A jug of water can be collected from the surf and brought into a completely dark classroom. After a minute or so of complete darkness, the organisms will fluoresce when the bottle is agitated. Vinegar, baking soda, and vegetable oil can be added in drops to see if they affect the luminescence.
Though brilliant to the naked eye, the bioluminescence is relatively dim for photographic purposes. For example, the photograph at right required a 3 second exposure at f4 at an ISO of 3200, a 210 mm telephoto lens, and the photographer had to hold his hand over the bottom half of the lens to block out the ambient light reflecting off of seafoam in the foreground.
One fantastic experience is that the organisms are in the beach sand too, so when one walks on the beach at night when they are blooming, they luminesce in response to the shock of one's foot hitting the ground. Wanted: microscopy images and video of L. polyedrum.