The latitudinal distribution of the family Podolampadaceae (Dinophyceae) has been compiled from a literature review augmented by the author's observations. The apparent scarcity of Podolampadacean cells as reported in the literature and generally collected with 64 μm mesh nets, was found to be a result of inadequate sampling procedures: (1) collection mesh size larger than the actual cell size of most Podolampaceans, (2) insufficient filtration volumes, and/or (3) inappropriate sampling depths. The vertical distribution of the Podolampadaceans is described using an example from the Central Equatorial Pacific. The greatest concentrations of Podolampadacean cells were found between 100 and 150 m while the highest percentages of Podolampadaceans were found between 100 and 200 m. Surface tows will therefore miss many Podolampadacean cells. A comparison between phytoplankton samples collected with 28 μm and 64 μm mesh nets shows that the 28 μm mesh net catches more Podolampadacean cells and is more suitable for the collection of Podolampadaceans. The Podolampadaceans should no longer be regarded as exclusively warm water species, but rather as a diverse group with a wide range in both vertical and latitudinal distribution, and in temperature tolerance, achieving maximum species diversity in the tropics.