noc·ti·lu·ca

(nŏk′tə-lo͞o′kə)

Any of various bioluminescent dinoflagellates of the genus Noctiluca that when grouped in large numbers make the sea phosphorescent.

[New Latin Noctilūca, genus name, from Latin noctilūca, lantern, moon : nocti-, nocti- + lūcēre, to shine; see leuk- in Indo-European roots.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

noctiluca

(ˌnɒktɪˈluːkə)

n, pl -cae (-siː)

(Biology) any bioluminescent marine dinoflagellate of the genus Noctiluca

[C17: from Latin, from nox night + lūcēre to shine]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

noctiluca

any thing or creature that shines or glows in the dark, especially a phosphorescent or bioluminescent marine or other organism. — noctilucine, adj.

See also: Light

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

noctiluca - large bioluminescent marine protozoan

Noctiluca miliaris

dinoflagellate - chiefly marine protozoa having two flagella; a chief constituent of plankton

genus Noctiluca - a genus of protoctist

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References in periodicals archive

Summary: The blue glow is known as Bioluminescence and is caused by Noctiluca scintillans.

Blue glowing water spotted on Chennai beach; pictures go viral

Also known as "sea sparkle" or Noctiluca scintillans, the incredible sight turns the sea a bright blue colour due to warm weather.

Sea and stars create a moment of magic for photographer

Also known as 'sea sparkle' or Noctiluca scintillans, the incredible sight turns the sea a bright blue colour due to warm weather.

Photographer captures blue heaven on Gower

He said the single-celled "noctiluca scintillans," also known as "dinoflagellates" or sea sparkles, that generate the bioluminescence described as "blue tears" when disturbed are non-toxic heterotrophs -- organisms that feed on other sources of nutrition to survive.

'Blue tears' not toxic: Taiwan researcher

Polykrikos kofoidii, 2) Kapelodinium vestifici, 3) Ceratoperidinium falcatum, 4) Asterodinium gracile, 5) Actiniscus pentasterias, 6) Marfalefidinium polykrikoides, 7) Brachidinium capitatum, 8) Erythropsidinium agile, 9) Akashiwo sanguinea, 10) Gymnodinium sp., 11) Gymnodinium catenatum, 12) Noctiluca scintillans.

Seasonal variation of the phytoplankton community in tuna farms in Bahia de La Paz, southern Gulf of California, Mexico

In an interview with The Express Tribune , a Pakistan-based English newspaper, WWF-Pakistan adviser Mohammad Moazzam Khan said: "Noctiluca Scintillans also known as Sea Sparkle -- part of phytoplankton group -- comes to the shore and dies.

Why is this famous Pakistani city stinking?

'Noctiluca Scintillans also known as Sea Sparkle part of phytoplankton group comes to the shore and dies.

Foul odour pervades Karachi air

The scyphozoan Pelagia noctiluca displays smooth muscle cells in its medusoid tentacles.

Tentacle Musculature in the Cubozoan Jellyfish Carybdea marsupialis

The phenomenon also known as "sea sparkle" or Noctiluca scintillans, is currently making our seas glow bright blue due to the recent warm weather.

SPARKLING SEA

The natural phenomenon creates noctiluca scintilans which sees the nighttime sea sparkle and turn a dazzling neon blue colour - almost like it is glowing in the dark.

Man captures 'magical' footage of the sea sparkling neon blue - and it's in the UK; Photographer Kris Williamson captured incredible footage of bioluminescent plankton

Mauve stinger (Pelagia noctiluca) -- Purple and glowing these have a highly-irritating sting which produces a burning sensation leading to hives, blisters and scabs as well as nausea and other symptoms.

Swimming in the sea? Here's the six types of jellyfish usually found in Britain; Watch out for jellyfish this summer, especially the varieties with a nasty string

Guillain-Barre syndrome following jellyfish stings (Pelagia noctiluca).

Jellyfish envenomation: A chilling toxidrome of seizures and cyanosis--a case report