Gonyaulax is a genus of dinoflagellates with the type species Gonyaulax spinifera (Claparède et Lachmann) Diesing. Gonyaulax belongs to red dinoflagellates and commonly causes red tides.

The plate formula in the genus Gonyaulax Diesing was redefined as Po, 3’, 2a, 6”, 6c, 4-8s, 5’”, 1p, 1”” 

Gonyaulax spinifera has been related to production of Yessotoxins (YTXs), a group of structurally related polyether toxins, which can accumulate in shellfish and can produce symptoms similar to those produced by Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins.

All species are marine, except for one freshwater species Gonyaulax apiculata.

It previously included several species, which are now considered to belong to a separate genus, e.g.:

References[edit]

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  1. Jump up^ syn. G. schuettii Lemmermann 1899 AQUASYMBIO: Gonyaulax polygramma
  2. Jump up^ syn. Steiniella fragilis Schütt AQUASYMBIO: Gonyaulax fragilis
  3. Jump up^ K. Mertens et al.: Relationship between the dinoflagellate cyst Spiniferites pachydermus and Gonyaulax ellegaardiae sp. nov. from Izmir Bay, Turkey, and molecular characterization, in: Journal of Phycology 51(3), April 2015doi10.1111/jpy.12304
  4. Jump up^ ; doi:10.3354/ame009055
  5. Jump up to:a b c Dodge J.D. 1989. Some revisions of the family Gonyaulacaceae (Dinophyceae) based on scanning electron microscope study. Bot. Mar. 32: 275-298.; doi:10.1515/botm.1989.32.4.275
  6. Jump up^ Paz et al. 2008. Yessotoxins, a Group of Marine Polyether Toxins: an Overview. Mar. Drugs 2008, 6, 73-102; doi:10.3390/md20080005

Further reading[edit]

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