The
Noctilucales are a peculiar order of marine
dinoflagellates. These differ from most other groups in that the mature cell is
diploid and its
nucleus does not show a dinokaryotic organization. These cells are very large, from 1 to 2 mm in diameter, and are full of large buoyant
vacuoles. They lack
chloroplasts, though a few have symbiotic
green algae within the vacuoles, and feed on other
plankton, with a special tentacle involved in ingestion. During
sexual reproduction, gametes are produced which resemble more typical athecate dinoflagellates and have dinokaryotic nuclei. Evidence suggests that the Noctilucales diverged from most other dinoflagellates early on, and they are generally placed in their own class. The best known member is
Noctiluca scintillans, which is
bioluminescent when disturbed, and can sometimes be seen as flickering lights on the ocean at night.
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