Page 237 - Introduction to Paleobiology and The Fossil Record

224 INTRODUCTION TO PALEOBIOLOGY AND THE FOSSIL RECORD

Box 9.9 Classifi cation of the main organic-walled groups: dinofl agellate
form classifi cation

Class DINOPHYCEAE

Most dinoflagellates belong to this class, which includes fossil representatives. They are free-living
cells with a large nucleus and numerous chromosomes; some are parasites and symbionts.
Order GYMNODINIALES
• Cretaceous to Recent
Order PTYCHODISCALES
• Cretaceous
Order SUESSIALES
• Triassic to Recent
Order NANNOCERATOPSIALES
• Jurassic
Order DINOPHYSIALES
• Jurassic?
Order DESMOCAPSALES
• Recent

Order PHYTODINIALES
• Recent

Order GONYAULACALES
• Jurassic to Recent
Order PERIDINIALES
• Triassic to Recent
Order THORACOSPHAERALES
• Triassic to Recent

Class BLASTODINIPHYCEAE
Parasites on or in copepods and other animals.
Order BLASTODINIALES
• Recent

Class NOCTILUCIPHYCEAE

Very large, naked cells lacking chloroplasts.
Order NOCTILUCALES
• Recent

Class SYNDINIOPHYCEAE
Symbionts or endoparasites lacking chloroplasts
Order SYNDINIALES