Gonyaulax
9.9
A single-celled sea organism that can cause red tides
- proper noun
- Specialized
:
Gonyaulax
- The marine dinoflagellate Gonyaulax is known for causing harmful red tides in oceans.
Examples
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New asexual spores of fungi appear only at certain times of the day; the marine alga Gonyaulax radiates with bioluminescence only at night.
Academic text (2005) -
In the single-celled marine dinoflagellate Gonyaulax polyedra, says plant geneticist C. Robertson McClung of Dartmouth.
Academic text (2005) -
The scientist studied the effects of Gonyaulax on marine ecosystems during the summer months.
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Gonyaulax species can produce toxins that affect marine life and human health.
Surface Forms
Gonyaulax main
Etymology
Gonyaulax comes from old Greek parts gony 'knee' and aulax 'groove', describing the bent groove on the tiny sea cells' shell. That's why the same name is used for living Gonyaulax species, some of which can form large 'red tide' blooms that harm sea life.
