Until recently, benthic dinoflagellates received little attention compared to the rather well-studied planktonic species. However, in the late 1970s, Japanese researchers discovered that epiphytic dinoflagellates were responsible for ciguatera, a food-borne poisoning that may affect to about half million people each year. Since then, numerous epiphytic (Coolia, Gambierdiscus, Ostreopsis, Prorocentrum, etc.) and sand-dwelling species have been described. Currently benthic species represent about 10% of the total catalogue of dinoflagellate species, but this percentage will likely increase in the coming years. What we are seeing here is just the tip of the iceberg because studies thus far are mostly restricted to sites which are relatively easily accessed: intertidal flats, tidal pools or shallow waters, while the diversity in the bottom of deep sea remains unexplored by morphological methods. Within this context, this is first book that summarizes the current knowledge on benthic, epiphytic and sand-dwelling, dinoflagellates. This book unites knowledge of four of the more prolific authors in the field with regard to the descriptions of benthic species over the last 15 years. The book is divided into seven chapters. After the introduction chapter (1), there is a short chapter (2) on Methods for the study of benthic dinoflagellates. The next chapter, (3) Taxonomy, occupies most of the book. It includes the description of 180 species from forty-five genera. The species are illustrated with line drawings, scanning electron micrographs, and color light micrographs. Illustrations include more than 200 color images, approximately 150 scanning electron micrographs, and more than 250 drawings. On the downside: The genera and species are presented in alphabetic order, rather than in a phylogenetic scheme. Regrettably, there is neither a suprageneric classification nor a dichotomous key for identification. Two taxonomical innovations and new synonyms (Coolia monotis = C. malayensis) are proposed. While the sand-dwelling and tidal pool dinoflagellates are illustrated in detail, the pictures of the ecologically important groups of epiphytic tropical dinoflagellates (i.e., Gambierdiscus) are more limited. The forms considered are not strictly limited to marine benthic species. The descriptions also include some freshwater species (i.e., Amphidiniopsis sibaldii) and planktonic species from tidal pools (Gyrodinium dominans, G. estuariale). The fourth chapter, Phylogeny and systematics, includes consideration of the phylogenetic relationships of some groups (i.e., Adenoides-Prorocentrum, Sinophysis-Sabulodinium, etc.). However, information on the availability of molecular markers for each species is missing. There is a phylogenetic tree with species of Phytodiniales. Two chapters of potentially great general interest, (5) Biogeography and (6) Ecology, are restricted to three and five pages, respectively. There are no maps of species distribution or nor information on the availability of strains in culture collections. The last chapter (7), Toxins, includes tables with toxins associated with benthic species. Despite the criticisms listed above it should be emphasized that for the first time, we have a book that summarizes the descriptions of almost all the benthic dinoflagellates. The price is remarkably low for a book that includes numerous color plates. In conclusion—this is an essential resource for any person interested in dinoflagellates and benthic protists, and it should be in every library that serves students and researchers in marine biology.
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Dec 1, 2016
I S Barskov 
Open Access