Molecular trees and geochemical markers suggest the divergence of dinoflagellates as early eukaryotes (~650 million years ago), but traditional fossil record cysts (dinocysts) starts during Triassic (~230 ago). A re-evaluation pre-Triassic shows that many acritarchs (microfossils uncertain affinities) are dinocysts representing “missing” evidence. Traditional diagnostic criteria for dinocysts, ...

The algal spring bloom in the Baltic Sea represents an anomaly from the winter-spring bloom patterns worldwide in terms of frequent and recurring dominance of dinoflagellates over diatoms. Analysis of approximately 3500 spring bloom samples from the Baltic Sea monitoring programs revealed (i) that within the major basins the proportion of dinoflagellates varied from 0.1 (Kattegat) to >0.8 (cent...

Abstract This contribution is an overview of the Early Jurassic dinoflagellate cysts Lusitanian Basin in Portugal, with particular emphasis on effects Jenkyns Event (Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event) evolution this planktonic group. We review and discuss data from 214 samples six Lower successions (upper Sinemurian to upper Toarcian) Basin. The late Pliensbachian radiation was well recognized basi...

Maastrichtian to Ypresian-dated sediments from the 12 Frères borehole. (Fresco, southwestern Côte d'Ivoire), are here investigated for paleoenvironmental and paleogeographic significance. For this study, preparation of palynological slides in laboratory is done three steps.: (1) sampling physical treatment, (2) chemical attacks (HCl 10%, HF 40%) dissolve mineral matter preserve organic containe...

BACKGROUND Dinoflagellate cysts (i.e., dinocysts) are biologically and ecologically important as they can help dinoflagellate species survive harsh environments, facilitate their dispersal and serve as seeds for harmful algal blooms. In addition, dinocysts derived from some species can produce more toxins than vegetative forms, largely affecting species through their food webs and even human he...