Noctiluca algae produced a spectacular display of color when the bloom occurred near the water's surface off the coast of California. Such blooms are caused by high concentrations of sometimes toxic algae species. Photo by Peter J.S. Franks, Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Chromalveolata
Superphylum: Alveolata
Phylum: Dinoflagellata
Class: Noctiluciphyceae
Order: Noctilucales
Haeckel, 1894


They differ from most others in that the mature cell is diploid and its nucleus does not show a dinokaryotic organization. also they show gameteic mieosis. These cells are very large, from 1 to 2 millimetres in diameter, and are filled with large buoyant vacuoles. Some may contain symbiotic green algae, but there are no chloroplasts. Instead, they feed on other plankton, and there is usually a special tentacle involved in ingestion.

The most common species is Noctiluca scintillans, also called N. miliaris. It can be bioluminescent when disturbed, as are various other dinoflagellates, and large blooms can sometimes be seen as flickering lights on the ocean.



Noctilucales reproduce mainly by fission, but sexual reproduction also occurs. Each cell produces numerous gametes, which resemble more typical athecate dinoflagellates and have the dinokaryotic nuclei. Evidence suggests that they diverged from most other dinoflagellates early on, and they are generally placed in their own class.

The most common species is Noctiluca scintillans, also called N. miliaris. It can be bioluminescent when disturbed, as are various other dinoflagellates, and large blooms can sometimes be seen as flickering lights on the ocean.