Cysts of the Thecate Dinoflagellate "Fragilidium", Balech ex Loeblich

Motile, thecate dinoflagellates of the genus Fragilidium excysted under laboratory conditions from two types of morphologically distinct hypnocysts, isolated from sediments of the Indian River lagoon, Brevard County, Florida. Observations of individual motile organisms showed that ecdysal cysts were...

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Veröffentlicht in:Litoralia. - Van Nostrand Reihold Company Inc., 1984. - 1(1984), 1, Seite 59-63
1. Verfasser: Owen, Kevin C. (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Norris, Dean R.
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 1984
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:Litoralia
Schlagworte:Physical sciences Biological sciences Applied sciences Behavioral sciences
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Motile, thecate dinoflagellates of the genus Fragilidium excysted under laboratory conditions from two types of morphologically distinct hypnocysts, isolated from sediments of the Indian River lagoon, Brevard County, Florida. Observations of individual motile organisms showed that ecdysal cysts were formed from the thecate (armored) stage and pellicle cysts were formed from the gymnodinoid (prearmored) stage. The duration of ecdysal encystment was typically between eight and nine hours when a thecate individual encysted, and between seven and eight hours when a cyst was formed from the "gymnodinoid" stage. All dinoflagellates observed excysting from ecdysal cysts were in the prearmored "gymnodinoid" stage with distinct longitudinal and transverse flagella and fully developed cingular and sulcal furrows. The results of this investigation provide field evidence for the presence of hypnocysts, ecdysal, and pellicle cysts in the life cycle of Fragilidium. The formation of ecdysal and pellicle cysts may provide several benefits for life in an estuarine system where conditions can change significantly in a relatively short period of time. A theca/cyst cycle is suggested for the genus Fragilidium. Similar theca/cyst cycles can be expected to occur in other dinoflagellates.
ISSN:24706035