Higher Classification: > Kingdom Chromista > Subkingdom Harosa > Infrakingdom Alveolata > Phylum Myzozoa > Subphylum Dinozoa > Infraphylum Dinoflagellata > Class Dinophyceae > Subclass Peridiniphycidae > Order Gonyaulacales > Family Pyrocystaceae > Genus Pyrocystis

Pyrocystis fusiformis C.W.Thomson, 1876

Rank: Species
Taxon Status: accepted

Relationships towards this taxon

Genus group names

*Pyrocystis*	J.Murray ex Haeckel, 1890	accepted genus name
*Dissodinium*	Klebs, 1916	synonym

Vernaculars (+) (-)

English: ocean night light

Literature

original description	Murray, J. (1876). Preliminary reports to Professor Thompson, F.R.S. and Director of the civilian scientific staff on work done on board the "Challenger. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, 24: 471-544, plates 21-23, 1 map.
basis of record	Gómez, F. (2005). A list of free-living dinoflagellate species in the world's oceans. Acta Bot. Croat. 64(1): 129-212.
additional source	Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2025). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. searched on YYYY-MM-DD.
additional source	Lakkis, S. (2011). Le phytoplancton marin du Liban (Méditerranée orientale): biologie, biodiversité, biogéographie. Aracne: Roma. ISBN 978-88-548-4243-4. 293 pp.
additional source	Steidinger, K. A., M. A. Faust, and D. U. Hernández-Becerril. 2009. Dinoflagellates (Dinoflagellata) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 131–154 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College
additional source	Brandt, S. (2001). Dinoflagellates, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 47-53
additional source	Liu, J.Y. [Ruiyu] (ed.). (2008). Checklist of marine biota of China seas. China Science Press. 1267 pp.

Genbank

Taxonomy

Published in AlgaeBase

Citation

Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2025). AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (taxonomic information republished from AlgaeBase with permission of M.D. Guiry). Pyrocystis fusiformis C.W.Thomson, 1876. Via: Costello, M.J.; Bouchet, P.; Boxshall, G.; Arvantidis, C.; Appeltans, W. (2011) European Register of Marine Species, Accessed through PESI at http://www.eu-nomen.eu/portal/taxon.php?GUID=urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:110328