Prorocentrum faustiae

P. faustiae is a benthic species epiphytic on macroalgae (Morton 1998).

The species 'faustiae' is named in honor of Dr. Maria Faust, Smithsonian Institution, for her advancements in the taxonomy of non-planktonic dinoflagellates (Morton 1998).

Populations of P. faustiae are associated with macroalgae from Heron Island, Australia (Morton 1998).

P. faustiae is a photosynthetic species containing numerous golden-brown chloroplasts and a centrally located pyrenoid (Figs. 1, 2). A large kidney-shaped nucleus is situated posteriorly (Morton 1998).

Holotype: Prorocentrum faustiae Morton, 1998: 567, figs. 1-4
Type Locality: Coral Sea: Heron Island, Australia

P. faustiae reproduces asexually by binary fission.

Prorocentrum faustiae is similar in shape and size to P. hoffmannianum (45-55 µm long and 40-45 µm wide); however, the former lacks thecal areolae, which are very abundant on the latter. P. faustiae lacks a distinct ridge along the valve perifery which distinguishes this species from P. maculosum (Morton 1998).

P. faustiae is an armoured, marine, benthic dinoflagellate species. This species is associated with macroalge from the Australian Barrier Reef.

P. faustiae is a bivalvate species often observed in valve view. Cells are broadly ovate to rotundate with a rugose appearance (Figs. 1-3). Valve centers are concave (Figs. 1-3). Cells are 43-49 µm long and 38-42 µm wide. Small pores are (0.1 µm in diameter), probably containing trichocysts, are dense on the valve surface and along the valve perifery (Figs. 1-3). The intercalary band is transversely striated (Fig. 3) (Morton 1998).
The periflagellar area is a wide triangular, V-shaped region located apically on the right valve (Figs. 1, 4). Sixteen apical platelets make up the periflagellar area. Included also are two pores: a large flagellar pore, and a smaller auxiliary pore (Fig. 4)(Morton 1998).

P. faustiae is a diarrhetic shellfish poison (DSP) toxin-producing species producing okadaic acid (OA) and Dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1) (Morton 1998).