The Genus Spiniferites Mantell, 1850 (Dinophyceae)

Following the recent official rejection of proposals for conservation of the generic name Hystrichosphaera, the diagnosis of its senior synonym Spiniferites is expanded in order to incorporate additional information gained since 1850 and all species according with the expanded diagnosis are listed (24 species are transferred to Spiniferites). The cyst-family name “Hystrichosphaeraceae” is replaced by the new name “Spiniferitaceae”.     

Motility and autotoxicity in Karenia mikimotoi (Dinophyceae)

Karenia mikimotoi is one of the most common red-tide dinoflagellates proliferating in the eastern North Atlantic and around Japan. Kills of marine fauna are associated with its blooms. In mixed water columns it migrates vertically, while in stratified water columns, the population remains confined within pycnocline layers. Wind events, increasing mixing and agitation initiate declines in its populations. This paper is focused on the formulation of mortality rate relative to shear rate. Autotoxicity is demonstrated by the use of a synthetic toxin. Bioconvection observed in cultures allows the establishment of a trade-off between phototropism, which leads to the local accumulation of cells, and their autotoxicity, which would prevent cell concentration. The combination of these processes allows diffusion of the toxin into the underlying water, where it subsequently degrades. Confinement of the population in the pycnocline layer results also from another trade-off between growth conditions and shear-rate-modulated mortality. A simplified encounter kernel was introduced into the population dynamics equation to account for a mortality factor. Under realistic forcing conditions with a small number of parameters, this model reproduced the confinement of the population in the pycnocline layer, the proper timing and the duration of the recurrent K. mikimotoi bloom on the Ushant front (France).     

DNA divergency and speciation inSymbiodinium (Dinophyceae)

Relationship among symbiotic dinoflagellates of the genusSymbiodinium derived from seven different host species has been studied by means of DNA/DNA hybridization. DNA homologies range from about 70 to 30%D. Highest homology is regarded as subspecific level. Based on the characteristics of DNA and phenotypes,Symbiodinium microadriaticum subsp.microadriaticum is separated fromSymbiodinium microadriaticum subsp.condylactis. Lowest homology occurs at the methodical background, and is similar to that obtained with DNA of algae belonging to different classes. The data are in excellent agreement with DNA base composition, karyotypes, and morpohological as well as biochemical markers, emphasizing speciation among these gymnodinioid zooxanthellae.Dedicated to DrRobert K. Trench, Professor of Biology and Geology, University of California at Santa Barbara, whose work initiated recognition of speciation in zooxanthellae.     

Sexual and Asexual Processes in Protoperidinium steidingerae Balech (Dinophyceae), with Observations on Life-History Stages of Protoperidinium depressum (Bailey) Balech (Dinophyceae)

ABSTRACT. A suite of morphological, histological, and molecular techniques was used to reveal for the first time division, sexuality, mandatory dormancy period of hypnozygotes, and identity of life-history stages of any Protoperidinium spp. In both Protoperidinium steidingerae and Protoperidinium depressum , asexual division occurred by eleutheroschisis within a temporary cyst, yielding two daughter cells. Daughter cells were initially round and one-half to two-thirds the size of parent cells then rapidly increased in size, forming horns before separating. Gamete production and fusion was constitutive in clonal and non-clonal cultures, indicating that both species may be homothallic. Gametes were isogamous, approximately half the size and lacking the pink pigmentation of the vegetative cells, and were never observed to feed. Gamete fusion resulted in a planozygote with two longitudinal flagella. Planozygotes of P. steidingerae formed hypnozygotes. The fate of planozygotes of P. depressum is unknown. Hypnozygotes of P. steidingerae had a mandatory dormancy period of ca. 70 days. Germination resulted in planomeiocytes with two longitudinal flagella. Nuclear cyclosis occurred in the planozygotes of P. depressum , but in the planomeiocytes of P. steidingerae . The plate tabulation and gross morphology of gametes of P. steidingerae and P. depressum differed markedly from those of vegetative cells. Thus, misidentification of morphologically distinct life-history stages and incomplete examination of thecal plate morphology in field specimens has likely led to taxonomic confusion of Protoperidinium spp. in previous studies.     

Preliminary observations on predator/prey relationships between chaetognaths and copepods in the Java sea

There is evidence that copepods undertake vertical migrations in shallow waters off the north coast of Java. They aggregate at the surface of the sea at dawn and dusk but sink to deeper levels in the middle of the day. Chaetognaths feed on copepods and tend to occur in areas which are rich in their prey. They do not however follow them on vertical migrations during daylight.     

大亚湾水域原甲藻调查与鉴定

对1998年至2000年在广东省大亚湾海域所采集的样品进行了观察和分析。发现有8种原甲藻(Prorocentrum);反曲原甲藻（Prorocentrum sigmoides),海洋原甲藻（P.micans)。三角棘原甲藻（P.triestinum)。具齿原甲藻（P.mexicanum)和原甲藻未知种（P.sp)。对它们的形态特征和生态分布进行了描述。     

Multiple bacterial infection ofAlexandrium catenella (Dinophyceae)

Chilean clones of Alexandrium catenella are shown to be infectedwith bacteria. The endocyto-plasmic bacteria have been isolatedand grown in culture. Using biochemical characterization, theywere tentatively identified as Aeromonas salmonicida, Flavobacteriumbreve, Pseudomonas diminuta, Pasteurella haemolytica, Proteusvulgaris, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas versicularis and Moraxellasp.-like. In several instances, the analysis showed that A.catenella clones are simultaneously infected by different speciesof bacteria. Intracellular bacterial localization was demonstratedby confocal and electron microscope observations. Viabilityof intracellular bacteria was confirmed by using a specificdye that becomes fluorescent when it is reduced by electronsgenerated by respiration of live organisms. Thus, the bacteriaare alive and appear to be dividing inside the cells. Antibiotictreatment of A. catenella did not generate bacteria-free cells,leading instead to the killing of the host cells. Of all bacterialstrains isolated, only Moraxella sp.-like and P. diminuta arecapable of producing small amounts of saxitoxin, as detectedby HPLC. Toxic Moraxella sp.-like bacterium was isolated onlyfrom one A. catenella clone and confirmed by western blot analysis,suggesting that bacterial infection might be clone specific.     

Preliminary observations on plant-rock type relationships in the Shiraz-Dashte Arjan area,South-West Iran

Summary In the Dashte-Arjan area near Shiraz, rock formations appear to control the distribution of various plant species. The Fars formation (Miocene) and the Asmari-Jahrom formation (Eocene-Oligocen) sediments are characterized by distinet plant species and life forms. Among the characteristic calciphytes of Asmari-Jahrom limestones are Astragalus acutus, Amygdalus lyciodes, Cerasus microcarpa, and Fraxinus rotundifolia. The Fars formation limestones are characterized by Astragulus gossypinus, Acantholimon flexuosum, Noaea mucronata and Phlomis bruguieri, Except for Glycrrhiza glabra, white and red marls seem to have similar species, such as Alhagi maurorum and Carthamus oxyacantha. Gypsum of Fars formation has Berberis integerrima and Rosa beggeriana. Various life forms have been distinguished and were found to be confined to different rock types as well.Nomenclature of species is given in table 1.We are greately indebted to Dr. P.H. Davis and Prof. G. Pontecorvo F.R.S. for critically reading this paper and making some invaluable suggestions. We are grateful to the University Research Grant Commission for providing us a grant for this work. We are also indebted to the Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, Pahlavi University, Shiraz, Iran for providing us with a vehicle during this work.     

Phylogenetic relationships in the harmful dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides (Gymnodiniales, Dinophyceae) inferred from LSU rDNA sequences

Phylogenetic relationships among chain-forming Cochlodinium species, including the harmful red tide forming dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides, were investigated using specimens collected from coastal waters of Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, México, Philippines, Puerto Rico, and USA. The phylogenetic tree inferred from partial (D1–D6 regions) large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (LSU rDNA) sequences clearly differentiated between C. polykrikoides and a recently described species, Cochlodinium fulvescens. Two samples collected from the Pacific coasts of North America (British Columbia, Canada and California, USA) having typical morphological characters of C. fulvescens such as the sulcus located in the intermediate region of the cingulum, were closely related to C. fulvescens from western Japan in the phylogenetic tree. Cochlodinium polykrikoides formed a monophyletic group positioned as a sister group of the C. fulvescens clade with three well-supported sub-clades. These three clades were composed of (1) East Asian, including specimens collected from Hong Kong, western Japan, and southern Korea, (2) Philippines, from Manila Bay, Philippines and Omura Bay, Japan, and (3) American/Malaysian, from the Atlantic coasts of USA, the Pacific coast of México, Puerto Rico, and Borneo Island, Malaysia. Each of these clades is considered to be a so-called “ribotype” representing the population inhabiting each region, which is distinguished based on ribosomal RNA gene sequences in the species despite similarities in their morphological characters.     

Amphiesmal ultrastructure inNoctiluca miliaris Suriray (Dinophyceae)

The ultrastructure of the cell covering (amphiesma) of vegetative cells ofNoctiluca miliaris (Dinophyceae) was studied in detail using thin sections. The amphiesma is typically amphidinoid and contains the following components (starting from the outside): (a) a continuous outer membrane (plasmamembrane) surrounding the cell; (b) a layer of contiguous vesicles (amphiesmal vesicles) that contain a thin “honeycomb-patterned” layer of material appressed mainly to the outer portion of the vesicle membrane; (c) a finely granular pellicular layer that lies beneath the amphiesmal vesicles and (d) groups of cortical microtubules (only present in certain regions of the cell). The pellicular layer is always present but its thickness is highly variable (20–800 nm) depending on regional specializations of the amphiesma. Trichocysts and mucocysts project through the pellicular layer and amphiesmal vesicles, the apical portion of their limiting membrane docks at the plasmamembrane. Small vesicles that presumably contain material for the “honeycomb-patterned” layer traverse the pellicular layer through discontinuities and presumably fuse with the amphiesmal vesicles. We conclude thatNoctiluca has a typical dinophycean (i.e. amphidinoid) cell covering, and that the most recent proposal for the developmental origin of the dinoflagellate pellicle should be revised. Dedicated to Dr. Dr. h.c. P. Kornmann on the occasion of his eightieth birthday.     

Preliminary observations on squirrel monkey (Saimiri oerstedi) vocalizations in Costa Rica

This study was an initial attempt to analyze quantitatively vocalizations from the Central American squirrel monkey, Saimiri oerstedi. Vocalizations were recorded in the wild at P. N. Corcovado (S. o. oerstedi). and at P. N. Manuel Antonio (S. o. citrinellus). Additional recordings were made from captive individuals of both subspecies. The acoustic structure of analyzed vocalizations resembled most closely the vocal repertoire of South American Saimiri with the “gothic arch” phenotype, in agreement with the prominent gothic arch facial pattern of S. oerstedi. New structural subtypes of the twitter (“dog-tooth twitter”) and the chuck (“bent-mast chuck”) not previously found in an extensive library of South American Saimiri sound spectrograms were documented. Calls used by older infants when socially separated and when approaching an adult male were essentially identical (sharing typical “isolation peep” structural features) but had significantly different duration and peak frequency. Analysis of recordings from an escaped captive female calling outside her compound over a 3-day period indicated the presence of numerous structural intermediates between typical chuck, twitter, and peep calls.     

Organelle loss in the endosymbiont ofGymnodinium acidotum (Dinophyceae)

Summary The freshwater dinoflagellateGymnodinium acidotum is known to harbor a cryptomonad endosymbiont whose chloroplasts give the organism its blue-green coloration. Every cell examined from a wild population possessed chloroplasts, mitochondria, and other organelles which are of endosymbiotic origin. Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy revealed that only 33% of these cells possessed the nucleus of the endosymbiont. The lack of a cryptomonad nucleus in some cells did not appear to affect the cells' ability to photosynthesize or move in response to varying levels of illumination. This represents the first report of a host/endosymbiont relationship in which a significant number of individuals from a given population lack a major endosymbiont organelle.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Cochlodinium polykrikoides Margalef (Gymnodiniales,Dinophyceae) from the Mediterranean Sea and the implications of its global biogeography

Although the diversity of dinoflagellates has been intensively studied in several locations in the Mediterranean Sea since the 1950s, it is only during the last two decades that the morphotype of the toxic unarmoured dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides Margalef has been detected, coinciding with its apparent worldwide expansion in marine coastal waters. In this study, vegetative cells of C. polykrikoides morphotype from the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean Sea) were detected and isolated, and the DNA from collected cells was sequenced. While in the Mediterranean Sea, detections are scarce and C. polykrikoides is consistently present at low concentrations, we reported exceptional blooms of this species, in which the maximum abundance reached 2 × 10⁴ cells L⁻¹. Partial LSU rDNA region sequences showed that most C. polykrikoides populations from the Catalan coast formed a new differentiated ribotype, but others were included within the ‘Philippines’ ribotype, demonstrating their coexistence in the Mediterranean Sea. Thus, the current biogeographic nomenclature of the ribotypes is likely to be invalid with respect to the available information from populations comprising the ‘Philippines’ ribotype. The phylogeny suggests the existence of cryptic species that should be evaluated for species-level status. Accordingly, the ribotype determination must be carefully evaluated for all detections and bloom events, since accurate characterization of the morphology, ecophysiology and distribution of the ribotypes are not well resolved.     

Alexandrium (Dinophyceae) species in Malaysian waters

A study was carried out to determine the presence of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin-producing dinoflagellates in the coastal waters of Peninsula Malaysia. This followed first ever occurrences of PSP in the Straits of Malacca and the northeast coast of the peninsula. The toxic tropical dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum was never encountered in any of the plankton samples. On the other hand, five species of Alexandrium were found. They were Alexandrium affine, Alexandrium leei, Alexandrium minutum, Alexandrium tamarense and Alexandrium tamiyavanichii. Not all species were present at all sites. A. tamiyavanichii was present only in the central to southern parts of the Straits of Malacca. A. tamarense was found in the northern part of the straits, while A. minutum was only found in samples from the northeast coast of the peninsula. A. leei and A. affine were found in both the north and south of the straits. Cultured isolates of A. minutum and A. tamiyavanichii were proven toxic by the receptor binding assay for PSP toxins but A. tamarense clones were not toxic. Mean toxin content for the A. tamiyavanichii and A. minutum clones were 26 and 15 fmol per cell STX equivalent, respectively. This study has provided evidence on the presence of PSP toxin-producing Alexandrium species in Malaysian waters which suggests that PSP could increase in importance in the future.     

Validation of the binary designation Symbiodinium thermophilum (Dinophyceae)

The binary designation Symbiodinium thermophilum was invalid due to the absence of an illustration as required by Article 44.2 of the ICN. Herein, it is validated. This species is the most common symbiont in reef corals in the southern Persian/Arabian Gulf, the world's hottest body of water sustaining reef coral growth.