Three new benthic species of Prorocentrum (Dinophyceae) from Twin Cays, Belize: P. maculosum sp. nov., P. foraminosum sp. nov. and P. formosum sp. nov.

Three new benthic dinoflagellate species, Prorocentrum maculosum sp. nov., Prorocentrum foraminosum sp. nov. and Prorocentrum formosum sp. nov., are described from floating detritus and sediments in a subtropical mangrove island, Twin Cays, Belize, Central America, using scanning electron microscopy. Differences in the following characters of surface morphology separated the species: omamentation of thecal plates (shape, size and number of valve pores) and the architecture of the periflagellar area and intercalary band.