A = Cell with foodvacuole; B = Apical pore complex; C&D = 1'-plate with ventral pore(=arrow). A-C DIC, D=Cell stained with calcofluor white, UV-excitation
Life-form: Solitary
Size: Length 39-57 µm, width 43-54 µm.
Resting spore: +
Note: Toxic
Distinctive features: Characteristic 1'-plate and large ventral pore
Similar species: A. peruvianum Fragilidium spp
Distribution: Widely
Literature:
Balech, E. & Tangen, K. 1985. Morphology and taxonomy of toxic
species in the Tamarensis group (Dinophyceae): Alexandrium
excavatum (Braarud) comb. nov. and Alexandrium ostenfeldii
(Paulsen) comb. nov. Sarsia., 70: 333-343.
Hansen, G. & Larsen, J. 1992. Dinoflagellater i danske farvande. In: Thomsen, H. A. (ed.) Plankton i de indre danske farvande. Havforskning fra Miljøstyrelsen, Copenhagen, p. 45-155.
Larsen, J. & Moestrup, Ø. 1989. Guide to toxic and potentially toxic marine algae. The Fish Inspection Service, Ministry of Fisheries, Copenhagen. p. 61
Østergaard, M. J. & Moestrup, Ø. 1997. Autecology of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii: life history and growth at different temperatures and salinities. Eur. J. Phycol. 32: 9-18.
Steidinger, K. A. & Tangen, K. 1996. Dinoflagellates. In: Tomas, C. R. (ed.) Identifying marine diatoms and dinoflagellates. Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, p. 387-584.