Prorocentrum

Prorocentrum is a genus of dinoflagellates in the family Prorocentraceae. It comprises many marine and brackish-water species found worldwide, from temperate to tropical regions. Most Prorocentrum species are planktonic, though some can be benthic or epiphytic, and they occupy a range of phototrophic and mixotrophic modes of nutrition, often relying on plastids for photosynthesis while capable of additional feeding.

Morphologically, Prorocentrum cells are typically oval to elongated and covered by a thecal plate[ system characteristic of armored dinoflagellates. Species differ in size and shape, which are used for taxonomic identification in plankton surveys. The genus includes both small and relatively larger species, and many titers are distinguished by subtle features of their theca and sulcal structures.

Prorocentrum contains several species that form blooms under favorable nutrient and light conditions. Notable bloom-forming representatives include Prorocentrum donghaiense, associated with red tides in parts of the Northwest Pacific, and the cosmopolitan Prorocentrum minimum. Prorocentrum micans is another well-studied species, common in coastal waters and often used in ecological research.

Toxicity is a significant consideration for some Prorocentrum species. Prorocentrum lima is a known producer of toxins in the okadaic acid group, which can accumulate in shellfish and cause diarrhetic shellfish poisoning in humans. This has led to monitoring programs for DSP toxins in seafood and coastal waters, particularly during algal bloom events.

Reproduction in Prorocentrum occurs primarily through asexual cell division, with the potential formation of resting cysts that enable persistence in sediment during unfavorable conditions.