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Name derivation:
Classification:
Fibrocapsa S.Toriumi and H.Takano 1973; the single species description is currently accepted taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2013). Order Chattonellales; Family Chattonellaceae
Morphology:
Motile cells with two flagella approximately as long as the cell itself. Cells have a convex dorsal surface and a flattened ventral surface. Fibrocapsa is in the "golden-brown" line of raphids.
Similar genera:
Habitat:
Coastal marine, associated with red tides.
Toxicity:
Fibrocapsa contains at least five neurotoxic components that correspond to similar brevetoxin components (Khan et al. 1996).
References:
Graham L. and Wilcox L. 2000. Algae. Prentice-Hall Guiry, M.D. and G.M. Guiry 2013. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 10 September 2013. Khan, S., O. Arakawa, and Y. Onoue 1996. Neurotoxin production by a chloromonad Fibrocapsa japonica (Raphidophyceae). J. World Aquaculture Soc. 27:254-263.