Daugbjerg, N., Hansen, G., Larsen, J. & Moestrup, Ø. (2000), Phylogeny of some of the major genera of dinoflagellates based on ultrastructure and partial LSU rDNA sequence data, including the erection of three new genera of unarmoured dinoflagellates. Phycologia 39: 308 [comb. nov.]

basionym: Gymnodinium sanguineum Hirasaka legitimate

Throndsen, J., Hasle, G.R. & Tangen, K. (2003), Norsk Kystplankton Flora: - [secondary reference]

ABRS (2008), Australian Algal Name Index Edn. 2008: - [secondary reference]

Hallegraeff, G.M., Bolch, C.J.S., Huisman, J.M. & de Salas, M.F. (2010), Planktonic dinoflagellates. Algae of Australia: Phytoplankton of Temperate Coastal Waters: 145–212 [secondary reference]

McCarthy, P. (Comp.) (2012), Census of Australian Marine Dinoflagellates: - AAL [secondary reference]

nomenclatural synonym: Gymnodinium sanguineum Hirasaka legitimate taxonomic synonym: Gymnodinium splendens M.Lebour legitimate taxonomic synonym: Gymnodinium nelsonii G.W.Martin legitimate

• Comment: A potentially harmful, bloom-forming species
• Distribution: Common in all temperate Australian coastal waters, less so in Tas. It has produced red water discolouration in N.S.W. (e.g. Cooks River, Alexandra Canal, Sydney Harbour, Lane Cove River, off Sydney) [Hallegraeff et al., 2010]
• Ex.distribution: Brazil, Gulf of Mexico, U.S.A. (California, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey), British Isles, North Sea, Black Sea, East China Sea, Japan, South Korea, Coral Sea, New Zealand

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