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Mesodinium rubrum (M. rubrum)

Mesodinium rubrum (M. rubrum), formerly known as Myrionecta rubra, is a photosynthetic ciliate that generates large, non-toxic red water blooms in the Columbia River estuary. They contain red colored chloroplasts that originate from cryptophyte algae. The intense red color in the water is a result of high concentrations of M. rubrum cells at the surface.

M. rubrum patch Red water patches near shore Science team
Collecting samples Close up of red water samples
single cell collection microscope image of mrubrum PE sensor data