A new member of the Euglenineae, Protoeuglena Noctilucae gen. et sp. nov., occurring in Noctiluca miliaris suriray, causing green discoloration of the sea off Calicut

Abstract

A new marine member of the Euglenineae, Protoeuglena noctilucae gen. et sp. nov., is described in detail. The euglenoid occurs in very large numbers inside healthy and active Noctiluca miliaris Sur. individuals which consequently appear green. Such Noctiluca individuals occur in swarms frequently colouring the sea green in patches. The euglenoid is very simple in its structure. It is pear-shaped with a broad anterior end and a narrow posterior end and possesses a single flagellum, a single green plate-like chloroplast, a paramylon granule in close apposition to the chloroplast. And it shows a slight depression at the middle of its anterior end. This depression (invagination) very probably represents the beginnings of a gullet. It reproduces by longitudinal division. It appears to be a very primitive member of the class. Its association with Noctiluca appears to be symbiotic. It is suggested that this euglenoid is a most primitive member of the Euglenineæ coming very close to the ancestral type from which the rest of the Euglenineæ have been derived.