noctiluca
/ˌnɒktɪˈluːkə
/noun (plural noctilucae /ˌnɒktɪˈluːkiː/)
A roughly spherical marine dinoflagellate which is strongly phosphorescent, especially when disturbed.
- Genus Noctiluca, division (or phylum) Dinophyta.
- Noctiluca are motionless as the flagellum is unable to propel their body through the water: the only movement is found in rotation of vertical position via control of buoyancy in the cell.
Origin
Modern Latin, from Latin, literally 'night light, lantern'.