In 1753, the first modern dinoflagellates were described by Henry Baker as "Animalcules which cause the Sparkling Light in Sea Water", and named by Otto Friedrich Müller in 1773.
En 1753, os primeiros dinoflaxelados modernos foron descritos por Henry Baker como "Animálculos que causan os escintileos de luz no mar", e deulles o seu nome Otto Friedrich Müller en 1773.