Gonyaulax is a protist which
causes an algal bloom where its rapid multiplication changes the sea colour.
leads to the formation of diatomaceous earth.
behaves like a heterotroph in the absence of sunlight.
has a infectious spore-like stage in their life cycle and has a staggering effect on the human population.
Red dinoflagellates (Example: Gonyaulax) undergo such rapid multiplication and cause algal bloom that they make the sea appear red (red tides).