Gymnodiniidae

/ˌɡɪmnoʊdɪniˈɪdeɪ/ noun

Definition

A family of tiny, soft-bodied dinoflagellates found in marine environments that lack the protective theca (cell wall) found in armored forms.

Etymology

From Greek 'gymnos' (naked) + 'dinos' (spinning) + Latin '-idae' (family suffix). The '-idae' suffix is the zoological convention for naming families of organisms.

Kelly Says

Some members of this family are so transparent that you can barely see them under a microscope, making them nearly invisible assassins in the ocean—they're predatory dinoflagellates that hunt other microorganisms!

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