Mechanical characterization of cellulosic thecal plates in dinoflagellates by nanoindentation.

Dinoflagellates constitute an important group of microorganisms. Symbiotic dinoflagellates are responsible for the primary production of coral reef ecosystems and the phenomenon of their demise is known as "coral bleaching." Blooming of the planktonic dinoflagellates is the major cause of "red tides.