Distephanus speculum Stöhr.

Dictyocha speculum Stöhr; Dictyocha Auc.

With the characters of the genus.

A single specimen only of this very interesting form was seen at Woods Hole. It occurred in a collection of tow made near the end of the wharf during the evening.

Key to families of Dinoflagellidia.
1. No crossfurrow; two free flagella Family [Prorocentridæ]
2. One or more cross-furrows 3
3. Cross-furrow nearly central (cf. Oxytoxum) Family [Peridinidæ]
Cross-furrow close to anterior end Family [Dinophysidæ]
Several cross-furrows and flagella Family Polydinidæ
(One genus,
Polykrikos.)
Key to marine genera of Prorocentridæ.
Diagnostic characters: The transverse furrow is absent and the two flagella arise from the anterior end of the body. The shell may be bivalved.
1. No tooth-like process dorsal to the flagellum Genus *[Exuviælla]
2. With tooth-like process dorsal to the flagellum Genus Prorocentrum
* Presence at Woods Hole indicated by asterisk.
Key to marine genera of Peridinidæ.
Diagnostic characters: The cross-furrow is nearly central (see, however, Oxytoxum); the body may or may not have a shell; the shell may or may not be composed of distinct plates; the plates are distinguished as equatorial (i.e., bordering the cross-furrow), apical, and antapical, while still another, the "rhombic plate", may be present, extending from the cross-furrow to the apex.
1. Without distinct shell Genus *[Gymnodinium]
With a distinct shell 2
2. Shell not composed of definite plates 3
Shell composed of definite plates 4.
3. Cross-furrow replaced by thin-skinned band Genus Ptychodiscus
Cross-furrow well defined; reticulate markings raised on shell-surface Genus Protoceratium
Cross-furrow well defined; no markings Genus *[Glenodinium]
4. Two parts of shell equal or nearly equal 5
Two parts of shell very unequal 11
5. With transverse flagellum in a distinct furrow 6
Transverse flagellum not in a furrow 10
6. With horns, or with wing-like processes 7
Without processes of any kind kind 9
7. Processes small, wing-like, around flagellum-fissure Genus Diplopsalis
Processes horn-like 8
8. Anterior part with 7 equatorial and 1 rhombic plates Genus *[Peridinium]
Anterior part with 5 equatorial and no rhombic plates Genus Gonyaulax
Anterior part with 3 equatorial and no rhombic plates Genus *[Ceratium]
9. Anterior part with 14 equatorial and 1 rhombic plates Genus Pyrophacus
Anterior part with 7 equatorial plates Genus Goniodoma
Anterior part with 4 equatorial plates Genus Amphidoma
10. Apical extremity drawn out into a tube Genus Podolampas
pical extremity not drawn out into a tube Genus Blepharocysta
11. Cross-furrow deep, with great ledge-like walls Genus Ceratocorys
Cross-furrow wide, no ledge-like walls Genus Oxytoxum
* Presence at Woods Hole indicated by asterisk.
Key to marine genera of Dinophysidæ.
Diagnostic characters: The cross-furrow is above the center of the body, and its edges, as well as the left edge of the longitudinal furrow, are usually produced into characteristic ledges; those of the cross-furrow usually form great funnel-like anterior processes, while those of the longitudinal furrow usually form great, lateral, wing-like processes ornamented by ribs and other markings.
1. Without shell; longitudinal furrow may open & close Genus *[Amphidinium]
2. With shell; longitudinal furrow unchangeable 3
3. With distinct apical funnel 4
No apical funnel Genus Phalacroma
4. With great wing-like ledge 5
Ledges very small; body long, needle-like Genus Amphisolenia
5. Ledge of longitudinal furrow extends to posterior end 6
Ledge of longitudinal furrow does not extend to posterior end
(Recorded by Peck ('93-'95) as very abundant at Woods Hole and in Buzzards Bay.)
Genus Dinophysis
6. Ledge is continued dorsally to the cross-furrow Genus Ornithocercus
Ledge is not continued dorsally 7
7. With deep dorsal cavity; secondary funnel not notched Genus Citharistes
No dorsal cavity; secondary funnel deeply notched Genus Histioneis
* Presence at Woods Hole indicated by asterisk.