This volume covers the freshwater dinoflagellates of the world and comprises 350 species.

It serves as a reference work for identifying freshwater dinoflagellates by providing keys, detailed descriptions, and illustrations for all described species. The illustrations are based on old and classic descriptions and drawings that were combined with more recent figures.

The introductory chapters comprise  the history of dinoflagellate research, cell structure, ecology (by K. Rengefors and A. Kremp) and cell culturing (by G. Hansen).

Taxonomic studies of dinoflagellates began at the time of early light microscopists, and modern studies have shown that long-held views on the taxonomy are often unsatisfactory. Two new orders, Amphidiniales and Tovelliales, three new families, Amphidiniaceae, Gyrodiniaceae and Sphaerodiniaceae, and two new genera, Matvienkoella and Speroidium, are proposed. Seven new species and one new variety are described.Four new names and 80 new combinations are established.

Some highlights of the 200-year history of exploration of freshwater dinoflagellates, from O.F. Müller to Pierre Bourrelly

The dinoflagellate cell
The ecology of freshwater dinoflagellates (by Karin Rengefors and Anke Kremp)
Toxic freshwater dinoflagellates
Culturing of freshwater dinoflagellates (by Gert Hansen)
Classification of freshwater dinoflagellates
Class DINOPHYCEAE
Order 1. Desmomastigales
Order 2. Dinamoebidiales.-Order 3. Amphidiniales
Order 4. Gymnodiniales
Order 5. Gonyaulacales
Order 6. Peridiniales.-Order 7. Thoracosphaerales
Order 8. SUESSIALES
Order 9. Tovelliales
Order 10. PHYTODINIALES
Order 11. Gloeodiniales
Order 12. Prorocentrales
Species of uncertain affinities currently assigned to <i>Glenodinium.- </i>Species that cannot be identified (nomina inquirenda)
Invalidly published designations
List of taxonomic and nomenclatural novelties appearing in this book
Literature
Index.