Vulcanodinium rugosum is a species of dinoflagellate first described in 2011 based on samples collected from the French coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is thecate and its specific epithet is a reference to the striated appearance of its surface. It is the type species of the genus Vulcanodinium. Molecular phylogenetics suggests that it belongs in the order Peridiniales. Studies of the species in culture suggest it has at least two stages in its life cycle, one motile, thecate, and likely planktonic, and one nonmotile, athecate, and likely epibenthic. The species is photosynthetic and seems to prefer warm saline environments. It is found at least in warm Pacific and Mediterranean waters, and is likely globally distributed.