C:N:P of Dinoflagellates

The role of plankton C:N:P stoichiometry is crucial for a better understanding of microbial biogeography and ocean biogeochemistry. There is some evidence that C:N:P varies across some plankton groups. Dinoflagellates are of particular interest, often being diverse and abundance in surface waters. We analyzed cellular carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus data compiled from the literature to quantify the C:N:P of marine planktonic dinoflagelles and test if C:N:P varies across taxonomic groups or across environmental or culture conditions. Data has been gathered from 70 publications, and includes C:N:P from five orders, three thecate (Gonyaulacales, Peridiniales and Prorocentrales) and two athecate (Amphidiniales and Gymnodiniales) groups, belonging to ten genera and sixteen species, covering a wide range of cell sizes. Preliminary analyses indicate that dinoflagellates, and especially the thecate taxa, have median C:N ratio higher than the canonical Redfield ratio.