Gyrodinium is a genus of dinoflagellates belonging to the order Gymnodiniales within class Dinophyceae.

[1] The genus has cosmopolitan distribution.

[2] They are heterotrophic (cannot produce its own food) and feed on diatoms (such as Chaetoceros debilis) that can be up to 12 times their length.

[3] They are 'naked' dinoflagellates, meaning they lack armor (or cellulosic plates).

[4] 54 species, as accepted by the GBIF:[1]