ScienceSeptember 3, 2026

dinoflagellates

DY-noh-FLAJ-uh-layts

Definition

A large group of microscopic, mostly marine, single-celled organisms that often live as symbionts within coral tissues and provide energy via photosynthesis.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'dinos' (whirling) and the Latin 'flagellum' (whip), describing their characteristic spinning motion driven by two whip-like appendages.

In the news

The article notes that researchers filtered out genetic sequences from dinoflagellates to ensure they were analyzing the coral's DNA, and identifies the coral's algal symbionts as members of this group.

Genetic Structure and Environment-Linked Loci in a Resilient Coral Along Eutrophication Gradient

Read the full article ↗

Bioengineer.org

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