Sinophysis canaliculata sp nov (Dinophyceae), a new benthic dinoflagellatefrom western Indian Ocean islands

A new benthic marine dinoflagellate, Sinophysis canaliculata Quod, Ten-Mage , Turquet, Mascarell et Coute sp. nov., was isolated from coral and sedimen t samples from sites in the western Indian Ocean. This new species is descr ibed and illustrated by drawings and light and scanning electron micrograph s. Members of Sinophysis Nie et Wang are generally laterally flattened with circular outlines. The new species differ from others of the genus in the following characters: cell shape and size and features of thecal plates (pl ate shapes, size and number of valve pores, presence of a narrow thecal cut in the left hypothecal plate). Sinophysis canaliculata is heterotrophic, l acking any chloroplasts.