188 University of California Piihlications in Zoology. [Vol.8 



II. Descriiation of species, with notes on synonomy, variation 



and distribution 206 



1. Subgenus Gonyaulax (Diesing) subgen. nov 206 



a) The sphaeroidea group 206 



(1) G. sphaeroidea sp. nov 206 



b) The spinifera group 207 



(2) G. spinifera (Clap, et Lach.) Diesing 209 



(3) G. digitale (Pouchet) Kofoid 214 



(4) G. diegensis sp. nov 217 



(5) G. triacautha Jorgensen 221 



c) The polygramma group 225 



(6) G. turbynei Murr. et Whitt , 225 



(7) G. scrippsae sp. nov 228 



(8) G. polygramma Stein 229 



(9) G. kofoidi Pavillard 233' 



(10) G. pacifica Kofoid 235 



d) The polyedra group 237 



(11) G. polyedrn Stein 238 



2. Subgenus Fnsigonyauhtx 246 



e) The birostris group 246 



(12) G. birostris Murr. et Whitt 246 



3. Subgenus Acanthogonymdax subgen. nov 247 



4. Subgenus Steiniella (Schiitt) subgen. nov 247 



f ) The fragilis group 247 



(13) G. fragilis (Schiitt) 248 



(14) G. alaskensis sp. nov 249 



E. General discussion of generic and specific characters in Gonyaulax.... 251 



I. Species characters 253 



1. The extent of differences between species 253 



II. Characters of value in distinguishing species 254 



1. Structural characters 254 



2. Physiological characters 259 



F. Summary 261 



G. Bibliography 263 



A. INTRODUCTION 



The geniiis Gonyaulax is one of the most widely represented 

 of the dinofiagellates, oecnrring in boreal, temperate and tropical 

 seas and in both brackish and fresh waters. It is also at times 

 exceedingly abundant in coastal waters, appearing in numbers so 

 great as to discolor the sea. Gonyaulax polyedra is the cause of 

 periodical outbreaks of "red water" along the coasts of southern 

 California in middle and late summer which are accompanied by 

 remarkable displays of phosphorescence. The outbreaks 

 occasion the destruction of great numbers of the fish of the shal- 



4 



