棕囊藻属的分类现状

棕囊藻属藻类生活史复杂、地理差异显著、游动单细胞个体微小,至今尚无明确的分类标准。在目前已报道的9个种中,Sournia(1988)认为只有两个种比较可靠,即形成胶群体的P.pouchetii(sensu lato)(包括P.globosa)和不形成胶群体的P.scrobiculata;一些学者将P.puchetii(sensu lato)进一步细分成P.pouchetii(sensu stricto)、P.globosa,P.antarctica等3种,为方便起见,多数学者将形成胶群体的棕囊藻定名为P.pouchetii,或写成未定种的形式Phaeocystis sp.棕囊藻属分类的混乱制约了相关研究的深入,解决棕囊藻分类混乱问题有赖于新的技术和方法的使用。     

珠江口球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa)赤潮后期的浮游植物群落结构特征研究

研究小组于2009年11月30日至12月2日期间对珠江口一次球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa)赤潮后期的浮游植物群落结构特征进行了调查研究.共发现浮游植物(包括变种、变型)6门,57属,118种.其中,硅藻门26属67种,占总种数的56.77%;绿藻19属33种,占总种数的27.96%;甲藻4属6种;蓝藻4属5种:裸藻2属5种;金藻2属2种.调查期间,球形棕囊藻可视群体的直径范围为0.5～2.5 cm,密度均值为1 208 colonies·m-3,镜检的密度均值为675 000 colonies·m-3.11月中旬至月底的骤然升温是本次球形棕囊藻赤潮爆发的主要原因.赤潮期间主要伴随优势种有骨条藻(Skeletonema sp.)、颗粒直链藻(Aulacoseira granulata)、新月菱形藻(Cylindrotheca closterium),以及三星裸藻(Euglena tritella).     

球形棕囊藻的生长特性及生活史研究

对球形棕囊藻不同的藻株(香港株HK和汕头株ST)在实验室条件下分别进行了形态学,生活史及生长曲线的研究,结果表明:球形棕囊藻具有一个复杂的异型生活史,具有两种不同的生活形态:群体和游离的单细胞,香港株和汕头株二者单细胞呈球形或近球形,直径大多为3-9μm;群体呈中空的球形囊泡,细胞包埋在胶质囊中较均匀分布,但二者群体大小有较大差异。当培养达到一定阶段,群体衰亡破裂释放大量单细胞。批次培养中球形棕囊藻的生长周期约为20-30d,香港株最适生长温度接近25℃,最大比生长率为038;汕头株的最适生长温度接近30℃,最大比生长率为042,这说明温度是重要的生长限制因子之一。       

球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa)叶绿体psaA基因片段的序列分析

根据GenBank中检索到的南极棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa)psaA基因序列设计psaAL和psaAR引物,对球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa),的psaA基因片段进行PCR扩增并测序,获得了629bp的DNA序列。应用clustal X对球形棕囊藻P1、P2株系和南极棕囊藻的psaA基因片段序列进行比对,结果表明,球形棕囊藻psaA基因片段序列无插入／缺失,核苷酸差异率为3.34％。应用DNAstar分析软件推断球形棕囊藻和南极棕囊藻的psaA基因对应的氨基酸序列和RNA二级结构,发现它们的氨基酸序列差异不大,序列中209个氨基酸只有1个发生了变化,其氨基酸变异率为0．48％;除部分结构域比较相似外,RNA二级结构上体现一定程度的差异,这可能对棕囊藻的分子分类研究有参考价值。因所获得的psaA基因片段序列及氨基酸序列具有种的极端保守性,不适宜用作Phaeocystis属种间的分子分类研究。     

球状棕囊藻的形态结构、生活史及生态意义研究进展

球状棕囊藻生活史独特,在两种完全不同的生活状态--游离单细胞和粘液质的囊体之间相互转换.生活史中共出现4 种不同类型的单细胞,存在有性和无性两种生殖方式.不同的细胞能够适应不同的环境,占据不同的生态位,有利于棕囊藻细胞的生长.球状棕囊藻的囊体直径最大可达几个厘米,外被坚韧、紧密并且具有弹性,为内部的单细胞提供了一个良好的栖息和保护场所,并且储存着能量可供细胞在营养盐限制条件下继续生长.由于囊体粒径较大,浮游动物难以摄食,并且有效的抵御了细菌和病毒的侵蚀,从而降低了棕囊藻的死亡率.与其它浮游植物相比,球状棕囊藻的竞争策略更加优越,提高了球状棕囊藻在海洋生态系统中的竞争能力.     

营养胁迫下球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa Scherffel)的生长行为及溶血活性

近年来,我国广东沿海连续出现大面积球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosaScherffel)赤潮,产生溶血毒素等有害物质,给当地的海洋养殖业造成重大的经济损失。研究不同的生长时期及半连续培养时不同营养盐胁迫下,球形棕囊藻溶血毒素的产生行为。结果显示,批量培养的球形棕囊藻处于生长平稳期末时,溶血活性最大((21±1)units/L);半连续培养时,营养盐限制对球形棕囊藻的生长有明显的抑制作用,其中Fe3 及N盐限制影响最为明显。同时,营养盐限制也可促进棕囊藻溶血毒素的合成,其中Fe3 和-Mn2 的限制性时球形棕囊藻溶血活性显著增强。这些结果表明,球形棕囊藻溶血毒素的产生与藻细胞的生长可能受不同机制的调节,溶血毒素的合成可能是环境胁迫下棕囊藻维持生存的一种策略。     

草苁蓉属(列当科)分类的研究

本文详细比较了草苁蓉属和丁座草属(Xylanche)植物的形态特征,并在扫描电镜下观察了它们的种皮纹饰。发现G.Beck(1890)建立丁座草属时所依据的花部性状并不可靠,这些性状,尤其是花萼分裂度和心皮数目,本身就有变异。因此,作者将丁座草属归并入草苁蓉属(Boschniakia)中。     

赤潮棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa)rDNA ITS区序列变异与二级结构分析

测定了南海球形棕囊藻香港株P1、P2和湛江株ZhJ1的rDNAITS区序列(含5.8srDNA),结合Gen Bank的13条同源序列,比对长度为904bp,变异位点271个,简约信息位点221个,平均(A+T)(34.5%)<(G+C)(65.4%).藻株P1、P2和ZhJ1序列存在变异位点20个,序列间相似性为97.9%～98.5%.ITS序列在种间和种内的解析度高于18srDNA和28srDNA基因;构建的NJ树、MP树、贝叶斯推断系统树的结构是一致的,不同种类的棕囊藻单独聚类,不同地理来源的球形棕囊藻混杂分布但相同地理来源的藻株多聚类在一起.RNA二级结构显示,不同藻种间5.8srDNA区结构基本一致,表现出属的特异性;ITS1、2区结构表现较大的种间差异,表明ITS区RNA二级结构可为棕囊藻分类鉴定提供有用的分子结构信息.     

国产贝母属的新分类群(续)

本续篇记载了新种15个,新变种10个,新组合1个,新变型2个,新记录组1个,新组4个,新系6个。喜马拉雅贝母新种图1     

棕囊藻的次生代谢产物综述

棕囊藻(Phaeocystis)属于定鞭藻纲(Haptophytes／Prymnesiophytes),是一广温性、广盐性的定鞭藻类,广泛分布于海洋生态环境中。作为海洋初级生产者,棕囊藻生产出大量的有机物质,如碳水化合物、DMSP／DMS、卤化物、CS2及多种毒素等等,这些物质都严重影响到海洋及大气生态环境。影响棕囊藻合成这些产物的因素非常复杂,目前多数还处于争论之中。     

CURRENT KNOWLEDGE OF THE LIFE CYCLES OF PHAEOCYSTIS GLOBOSA AND PHAEOCYSTIS ANTARCTICA (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE)1

Despite continuous efforts since the 1950s and more recent advances in culturing flagellates and nonflagellate cells of the prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis, a number of different life‐cycle models exist today that appear to apply for P. globosa Scherff. and P. antarctica G. Karst., both spherical colony formers. In one such model, this life cycle consists of three different flagellates and one nonmotile cell stage that is embedded in carbohydrate matrix‐forming colonies of different sizes and forms. Recently, noncolonial aggregates of diploid nonmotile cells attached to surfaces of diatoms were put forward as a new stage in the sexual life cycle of P. antarctica. However, it can be discussed that these “attached aggregates” (AAs) are an intermediate between motile diploid flagellates, with their well‐known tendency to adhere to surfaces, and the young spherical colony with its diploid nonmotile cells, which in nature is commonly found attached to diatoms. A life‐cycle model pertaining to both P. globosa and P. antarctica is presented.     

DIMETHYLSULFONIOPROPIONATE STORAGE IN PHAEOCYSTIS (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE) SECRETORY VESICLES1

Despite the global importance of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP)/dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and their role in climate regulation, little is known about the mechanisms of their production and storage in Phaeocystis sp., a major contributor of DMS in polar areas. Phaeocystis secretes polymer microgels, by regulated exocytosis, remaining in condensed phase while stored in secretory vesicles ( Chin et al. 2004 ). In secretory cells, vesicles also store small molecules, which are released during exocytosis. Here, we demonstrated that DMSP and DMS were stored in the secretory vesicles of Phaeocystis antarctica G. Karst. They were trapped within a polyanionic gel matrix, which prevented an accurate measurement of their concentration in the absence of a chelating agent such as EDTA. Understanding the production and the export mechanisms of DMSP and DMS into seawater is important because of the impact the cellular and extracellular pools of these highly relevant biogeochemical metabolites have on the environment. The pool of total DMSP in the presence of Phaeocystis may be underestimated by as much as half. Obtaining accurate budget measurements is the first step toward gaining a better understanding of key issues related to the DMS ocean–air interaction and the effect of phytoplankton DMS production on climate change.     

CARBON PARTITIONING WITHIN PHAEOCYSTIS ANTARCTICA (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE) COLONIES IN THE ROSS SEA, ANTARCTICA

The haptophyte Phaeocystis antarctica Karsten is a dominant species within the seasonal bloom in the Ross Sea. One of the unique characteristics of this form is that carbon is partitioned between the cells and the colonial matrix, a relationship that is poorly documented for this region. We combined particulate organic carbon measurements and microscopic analysis of P. antarctica -dominated samples to assess the contribution of single cells, colony-associated cells, and mucilage to the carbon concentrations of waters with P. antarctica. Two cruises to the Ross Sea were completed, one in austral spring 1994 and one in summer 1995–1996. In 1994 the bloom was dominated by colonial P. antarctica that contributed up to 96% of the total autotrophic carbon, whereas in 1995–1996 a mixture of P. antarctica and diatoms occurred. P. antarctica colony volume ( V ) was related to colonial cell number ( N _C) by the relationship V = 417 × N _C^1.67. Total colony carbon (C_COL) was calculated as the sum of cell carbon (C_CC) and mucus-related carbon (C_M). We found the contribution of mucus carbon to be 213 ng C mm ^{− 3} of colony volume. For P. antarctica -dominated assemblages sampled at the peak of the bloom, C_M represented a minor fraction (14 ± 4%) of colony carbon, and during early summer conditions C_M was at most 33% of C_COL. This organism plays a cardinal role in the carbon cycle of many regions. These results constrain the partitioning of carbon between cellular material and the colony matrix, information that is necessary to accurately describe the biogeochemical cycles influenced by this species.     

IDENTIFICATION OF THE CLASS PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE AND THE GENUS PHAEOCYSTIS WITH RIBOSOMAL RNA–TARGETED NUCLEIC ACID PROBES DETECTED BY FLOW CYTOMETRY1

Target regions specific for the class Prymnesiophyceae and the genus Phaeocystis (Har.) Lag. were identified from 18S ribosomal RNA coding regions, and two complementary probes were designed (PRYMN01 and PHAEO01). Detection of whole cells hybridized with these probes labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate was difficult using epifluorescence microscopy because autofluorescence of the chlorophylls seriously interfered with the fluorescence of the probes. In contrast, flow cytometry proved very useful to detect and quantify the fluorescence of the hybridized cells. Hybridization conditions were optimized, especially with respect to formamide concentration. Both probes were tested on a large array of both target and nontarget strains. Positive and negative controls were also analyzed. Specificity was tested by adding a competing nonlabeled probe. Whereas probe PHAEO01 seems to have good specificity, probe PRYMN01 appeared less specific and must be used with stringent positive and negative controls.     

FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSES OF VIRAL INFECTION IN TWO MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON SPECIES, MICROMONAS PUSILLA (PRASINOPHYCEAE) AND PHAEOCYSTIS POUCHETII (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE)

Cell characteristics of two axenic marine phytoplankton species, Micromonas pusilla (Butscher) Manton et Parke and Phaeocystis pouchetii (Hariot) Lagerheim, were followed during viral infection using flow cytometry. Distinct differences between noninfected and infected cultures were detected in the forward scatter intensities for both algal species. Changes in side scatter signals on viral infection were found only for P. pouchetii. Chlorophyll red fluorescence intensity per cell decreased gradually over time in the infected cultures. DNA analyses were performed using the nucleic acid–specific fluorescent dye SYBR Green I. Shortly after infection the fraction of algal cells with more than one genome equivalent increased for both species because of the replication of viral DNA in the infected cells. Over time, a population of algal cells with low red autofluorescence and low DNA fluorescence developed, likely representing algal cells just prior to viral lysis. The present study provides insight into basic virus–algal host cell interactions. It shows that flow cytometry can be a useful tool to discriminate between virus infected and noninfected phytoplankton cells.     

THE STORAGE GLUCAN OF PHAEOCYSTIS GLOBOSA (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE) CELLS1

A non-colony-forming axenic strain of Phaeocystis globosa (Harlot) Lagerheim was shown to produce a water-soluble β-d -glucan. This glucan consisted of about 20 glucose units, mainly (l→3)-linked, with branching at position 6. Therefore, it can be classified as a chrysolaminaran. Glucan production occurred mainly during the stationary growth phase and resulted in concentrations as high as 76 pg glucose per cell. When cultures were deprived of light the glucans were consumed, which supports their possible role as compounds used for temporary storage of energy.     

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A VIRUS INFECTING PHAEOCYSTIS POUCHETII (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE)1

A virus infecting the haptophyte Phaeocystis pouchetii (Hariot) Lagerheim was isolated from Norwegian coastal waters in May 1995 at the end of a bloom of this phytoplankter. The virus was specific for P. pouchetii because it did not lyse 10 strains of P. globosa Scherffel, Phaeocystis sp., and P. antarctica Karsten. It was a double-stranded DNA virus, and the viral particle was a polyhedron with a diameter of 130–160 nm. The virus had a main polypeptide of about 59 kDa and at least five minor polypeptides between 30 and 50 kDa. The latent period of the virus when propagated in cultures of P. pouchetii was 12–18 h, and the time required for complete lysis of the cultures was about 48 h. The burst size was estimated to be 350–600 viral particles per lysed cell.     

COLONY SIZE OF PHAEOCYSTIS ANTARCTICA (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE) AS INFLUENCED BY ZOOPLANKTON GRAZERS1

The haptophyte Phaeocystis antarctica G. Karst. is a dominant phytoplankton species in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, and exists as solitary cells and mucilaginous colonies that differ by several orders of magnitude in size. Recent studies with Phaeocystis globosa suggest that colony formation and enlargement are defense mechanisms against small grazers. To test if a similar grazer‐induced morphological response exists in P. antarctica, we conducted incubation experiments during the austral summer using natural P. antarctica and zooplankton assemblages. Dialysis bags that allowed exchange of dissolved chemicals were used to separate P. antarctica and zooplankton during incubations. Geometric mean colony size decreased by 35% in the control, but increased by 30% in the presence of grazers (even without physical contact) over the 15 d incubation. The estimated colonial‐to‐solitary cell carbon ratio was significantly higher in the grazing treatment. These results suggest that P. antarctica colonies would grow larger in the presence of indigenous zooplankton and skew the carbon partitioning significantly toward the colonial phase. While these observations show that the colony size of P. antarctica was affected by a chemical signal related to grazers, the detailed nature and ecological significance of this signal remain unknown.     

THE CHITINOUS NATURE OF FILAMENTS EJECTED BY PHAEOCYSTIS (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE)1

Filaments ejected by Phaeocystis globosa Scherffel, organized in star-like structures, were observed and analyzed before and after their discharge from cells. Ultrastructural observations obtained after cryofixation and cryosubstitution led to a model for their storage within the cell and for their ejection from the cell. Electron diffraction analysis on the ejected filaments demonstrated their chitinous composition. This technique indicated without ambiguity that each filament was in fact a whisker-like α-chitin crystal, with the axes of the corresponding polymer chains aligned with the filament's axis. X-ray microanalysis of the mats of filaments indicated that the silica content suggested by earlier workers was an artifact resulting from the filtration procedure.     

MORPHOLOGY,PLOIDY, PIGMENT COMPOSITION,AND GENOME SIZE OF CULTURED STRAINS OF PHAEOCYSTIS (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE)1

We examined cell morphology, ploidy level, cell size, pigment composition, and genome size in 16 cultured strains of Phaeocystis Lagerheim. Two strains originated from the Antarctic, 3 from the tropical Western Atlantic, and 11 from temperate regions (Eastern Atlantic, English Channel, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea). Thirteen strains made colonies morphologically similar to P. glo-bosa Scherffel, whereas three never formed colonies under any circumstances. Five-rayed star-like structures with filaments were observed in 11 strains. In several strains, two ploidy levels were observed, one (haploid) linked to flagellates and one (diploid) linked to colonies. Cell size did not appear to be a very good criterion for distinguishing strains since size distributions overlapped. Pigment analysis by reversed-phase-high-performance liquid chroma-tography allowed the strains to be grouped into three clusters that differed from each other mainly by the relative proportions of three carotenoids: fucoxanthin, 19′-hex-anoyloxyfucoxanthin, and diadinoxanthin. All strains contained low levels of 19′-butanoyloxyfucoxanthin. Differences in genome size measured by flow cytometry delimited at least five groups. On the basis of both pigment composition and genome size, six clusters were defined, one corresponding to an Antarctic species (possibly P. antarc-tica), one to P. globosa, and the rest probably to several yet-undescribed species or subspecies. Two main conclusions emerge from this study. First, the taxonomy of the genus Phaeocystis needs to be clarified through a combination of morphological, biochemical, and molecular studies. Second, sexuality is a prevalent phenomenon in Phaeocystis, but controls of the sexual cycle are most likely strain-dependent.