Prorocentrum belizeanum

P. belizeanum is a benthic species that can be a major component (1200 cells/mL) of benthic Prorocentrum assemblages in floating detritus and sediments in tropical coastal waters of the Caribbean. Cells are motile or are often attached to sediments and detrital particles (Faust 1993a).

Cells of P. belizeanum are common in tropical coastal waters (Steidinger & Tangen 1996) associated with floating detritus (Faust 1993a).

Prorocentrum belizeanum is a photosynthetic species with a centrally located pyrenoid and a large kidney-shaped posterior nucleus (Fig. 7) (Faust 1993a).

Holotype: Prorocentrum belizeanum Faust, 1993: figs. 1, 2
Type Locality: Caribbean Sea: Twin Cays, Belize, Central America

Prorocentrum belizeanum reproduce asexually by binary fission.

Only a few round or near-round Prorocentrum species are known: P. belizeanum is larger then P. hoffmannianum (45-55 µm long and 40-45 µm wide) (Faust 1990b) and larger than P. compressum (36 µm in diameter) (Matzenauer 1933; Böhm 1936; Schiller 1937; Tafall 1942; Dodge 1975).
The areolae of P. belizeanum are distinct from similar known benthic Prorocentrum species (Faust 1993a): P. hoffmannianum has approximately 670 areola per valve (diam.=1.0-1.15 µm), and P. ruetzlerianum has about 550 pentagonal-shaped areola per valve (diam.=1.0 µm) (Faust 1990b).
The architecture of the periflagellar area of P. belizeanum is similar to P. lima (Taylor 1980) and the planktonic species P. playfairi (Croome & Tyler 1987). P. hoffmannianum (Faust 1990b), however, has a more complex platelet configuration (Faust 1993a). The periflagellar area of P. belizeanum lacks an apical spine (Faust 1993a), which is similar to P. hoffmannianum (Faust 1990b) and P. lima (Faust 1991), but different from P. compressum, which has two apical spines (Tafall 1942; Dodge 1975). P. reticulatum (Faust 1997), P. sabulosum (Faust 1994), P. belizeanum (Faust 1993a) and P. hoffmannianum (Faust 1990b) share a distinct feature in the periflagellar area: three small accessory pores adjacent to a periflagellar pore (Faust 1997).
The flared curved apical collar (or 'raised anterior ridge') on the left anterior margin of P. belizeanum is similar to the curved apical collar of P. hoffmannianum. However, P. belizeanum has a more prominent and rounder collar than P. hoffmannianum, which is broader (Faust 1990b; Faust 1993a; Steidinger & Tangen 1996).

Prorocentrum belizeanum is an armoured, marine, benthic dinoflagellate species. This species is associated with floating detritus and sediment in tropical embayments of the Caribbean Sea.

Prorocentrum belizeanum is a bivalvate species often observed in valve view. Cells are round to slightly oval (Figs. 1, 2, 4, 7, 8). Cells measure between 55-60 µm in length and 50-55 µm in width. Valves are concave in the center (Figs. 2, 4) (Faust 1993a).
Thecal surface is heavily areolated; approximately 853-1024 areolae are present on each valve (Figs. 1-5). The areolae are round to oval (0.66-0.83 µm in diameter) (Figs. 1-6). Some bear trichocyst pores at their base. Ejected trichocysts are often observed. The intercalary band is smooth; however, marginal areolae give the appearance of a transversely striated intercalary band (Figs. 7, 8) (Faust 1993a).
The periflagellar area is a V-shaped triangle located apically on the right valve (Figs. 1, 4, 6, 8). Both the left and right valves are excavated (Figs. 1, 4). Two periflagellar pores, flagellar and auxiliary, are equal in size. The auxiliary pore is surrounded by a flared periflagellar collar (Fig. 6). Accessory pores are also present. The left valve anterior margin bears a large rounded and flared curved apical collar that borders the periflagellar area (Figs. 1-4, 6, 8). In lateral and apical view, the curved apical collar resembles a rounded lip (Figs. 3, 4)(Faust 1993a).

This is a known diarrhetic shellfish poison (DSP) toxin-producing species producing okadaic acid (OA) and small amounts of Dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1)(Morton et al. 1998).