ULTRASTRUCTURE AND 18S RRNA GENE SEQUENCE FOR PELAGOMONAS CALCEOLATA GEN. ET SP. NOV. AND THE DESCRIPTION OF A NEW ALGAL CLASS,THE PELAGOPHYCEAE CLASSIS NOV.1

Pelagomonas calceolata gen. et sp. nov., an ultra-planktonic marine alga, is described using electron microscopy and the cytoplasmic small subunit (18S) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence. Cells are uniflagellate, about 1.5 × 3 μm in size. The flagellium has two rows of bipartite hairs, the paraxonemal rod has a dentate appearance, and a two-gyred transitional helix is present between two transitional plates. Microtubular roots, striated roots, and a second basal body are absent. A thin organic theca surrounds most of the cell. There is a single chloroplast with a girdle lamella and a single, dense mitochondrion with tubular cristae. A single Golgi body with swelled cisternae lies beneath the flagellum, and each cell has an ejectile organelle that putatwely releases a cylindrical structure. A vacuole, or cluster of vacuoles, contains the putative carbohydrate storage product. The 18S rRNA gene was sequenced completely in both directions, excluding three primer regions. When compared to the same gene sequence from other organisms, Pelagomonas calceolata gen. et sp. nov. occupies an unresolved position among other chromophyte algae and is distinct from members of any of these classes. Based on morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular data, we describe this alga as a new species, and we place this highly unusual new species in a new genus, family, order, and class.     

Diverse small spinose acritarchs from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation, South China

The Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in South China is underlain by the Cryogenian Nantuo Formation (glacial rocks) and overlain by the late Ediacaran Dengying Formation. It is characterized by well-preserved, large (normally >100 μm in size) spinose acritarchs (LSAs), which have been shown to be probably the only useful biostratigraphic tool for the global correlation of the early- and middle-Ediacaran. Acritarchs are organic microfossils normally known as single-celled eukaryotic organisms (protists). Although recent research suggests that some large spinose acritarchs may represent diapause egg cysts of metazoans, the biological affinities of the Ediacaran spinose acritarchs, especially for those displaying remarkable size ranges, are still debatable.Recently, smaller specimens of the Ediacaran spinose acritarchs have been found in cherts and phosphorites of the Doushantuo Formation in South China. Many described Ediacaran spinose acritarch taxa display large size variation (from tens to hundreds of microns in vesicle diameter), but some taxa only have smaller (<70 μm) specimens. The morphological comparison with Paleozoic counterparts indicates that some Ediacaran spinose acritarchs may have phylogenetic affinity to eukaryotic algae. More evidence, including wall ultra-structure, geochemical analysis and comparison with modern analogs, is needed to understand the biological affinity of the Ediacaran spinose acritarchs. The remarkable radiation of planktonic protists, characterized by abundant, diverse spinose acritarchs, occurred as early as in the late Neoproterozoic, i.e., 40–60 million years earlier than previously thought.     

srDna-based taxonomic affinities of algal symbionts from a planktonic foraminifer and a solitary radiolarian

Planktonic sarcodines (acantharia, radiolaria, and planktonic foraminifera) are oceanic amoeboid protozoa that often harbor a variety of microalgae as intracellular symbionts. The identity and function of these endosymbiotic algae have intrigued and perplexed biologists for more than a century. The most conspicuous and well‐studied symbiotic algae of planktonic foraminifera and radiolaria are dinoflagellates, but a variety of nondinoflagellate taxa have also been reported. Ultrastructural features have been used to characterize some of these nondinoflagellate algae, but rarely has this led to clear taxonomic affiliations. We analyzed the nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (srDNA) isolated from the symbionts of the spinose planktonic foraminiferan Globigerinella siphonifera d'Orbigny (=Globigerinella aequilateralis Brady) and a solitary radiolarian (Spongodrymus sp. Haeckel) in order to determine the identity of these symbionts. The small coccoid algae isolated from G. siphonifera correspond to the Type I symbionts described by Faber et al. (1988) . Phylogenetic analysis of the srDNA sequences places these symbionts within the prymnesiophyte (haptophyte) lineage, closer to Prymnesium Conrad than to Phaeocystis Lagerheim. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of a symbiotic prymnesiophyte. In addition, we were able to examine the level of sequence heterogeneity between symbionts isolated from different individuals of a single host species. The three isolates in this study had srDNA sequences that were almost identical, indicating that the three were all of the same species. Very green symbiotic algae were isolated from three solitary radiolaria identified as species of Spongodrymus. The symbiont srDNA sequences from the three individual hosts were identical to each other, again implicating a single species of algae in that symbiotic association. These symbionts are prasinophytes most closely related to the clade containing Tetaselmis convolutae Norris, Hori et Chihara. Tetraselmis convolutae is the algal symbiont of the marine flatworm, Convolutae roscoffensis Graff.     

LIGHT AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF GRAZING BY POTERIOOCHROMONAS MALHAMENSIS (CHRYSOPHYCEAE) ON A RANGE OF PHYTOPLANKTON TAXA1

Grazing of fluorescent latex beads, bacteria, and various species of phytoplankton by Poterioochromonas malhamensis (Pringsheim) Peterfi (about 8.0 μm in diameter) was surveyed. The alga ingested fluorescent beads and various live or killed and nomnotile or motile organisms including bacteria, blue-green algae, green algae, diatoms, and chrysomonads. The size range of grazed prey was from 0.1 to 6.0 μm for latex beads and from 1.0 μm (bacteria) to about 21 μm (Carteria inverse) for organisms. As many as 17 latex beads (2.0 μm) or more than 10 Microcystis cells (5–6 μm) were ingested by a single P. malhamensis cell. Following such grazing, the cell increased in volume by up to about 30-fold. The range of cell volume of ingested prey was from 0.52 μm³ (bacteria) to about 3178 μm³(Carteria inversa). This study demonstrates for the first time that P. malhamensis is capable of grazing algae 2–3 times larger in diameter than its own cell and of grazing intact motile algae. Poterioochromonas malhamensis is an omnivorous grazer. Food vacuole formation and digestion processes were examined. The membrane that was derived from the plasma membrane and surrounded the prey disappeared sometime after ingestion. The food vacuole was then formed by successive fusion of numerous homogeneous vesicles accumulated around the prey. The prey was enclosed in a single membrane-bound food vacuole and then digested.     

Induction of metamorphosis in the sea urchin Holopneustes purpurascens by a metabolite complex from the algal host Delisea pulchra

Most benthic invertebrates have complex life cycles with planktonic larvae that return to the substratum to settle and metamorphose into a benthic stage. Although naturally produced chemical cues have long been thought to be important for the settlement or metamorphosis of invertebrate larvae, few ecologically relevant chemical cues have been clearly identified. The marine echinoid Holopneustes purpurascens has a complex life cycle, with a planktonic, nonfeeding dispersive larva that metamorphoses into a benthic stage that lives in the canopy of subtidal benthic algae such as the red alga Delisea pulchra and the kelp Ecklonia radiata. Recently recruited juveniles are found primarily on D. pulchra, and we hypothesized that this was in response to a chemical cue produced by this alga. Competent larvae metamorphosed in the presence of D. pulchra, or seawater surrounding this alga, but not in response to the presence of E. radiata or its extracts. A cue for metamorphosis was isolated and characterized from D. pulchra and found to be a water-soluble complex of the sugar floridoside and isethionic acid in a 1:1 molar ratio. The floridoside-isethionic acid complex also triggered settlement in H. purpurascens; however, this response was less specific than metamorphosis and was reversible. Larvae of H. purpurascens also metamorphosed in the presence of several other species of red, but not brown or green, algae from their habitat. Floridoside is found only in red algae, suggesting that the floridoside-isethionic acid complex may be acting as a cue for metamorphosis in other red algae as well as in D. pulchra.     

北京四校园人工湖浮游藻类与富营养化特征分析

浮游藻类作为重要的生物指标已被广泛运用于各种水体的富营养化监测与评价中.论文对北京市4个校园人工湖的浮游藻类群落组成及季节变化展开调查,探讨了浮游藻类生物指标和富营养化的关系及其季节变化规律.调查期间,镜鉴得到39个属,隶属于蓝藻,绿藻和硅藻门.4个水体生物密度的季节平均值均高于500 cell·mL^-1,多样性指数普遍介于2～3之间.TN,TP和COD显示各水体都已处于富营养化状态.综合生物指标和水质指标进行聚类分析,结果显示:4个人工湖不同季节的水体可分为绿藻型,蓝,绿藻型和硅藻型三大类富营养化水体:荷花池,荷塘浮游藻类群落相似性最高,而荷塘、未名湖夏季富营养化程度最接近.     

BOLIDOMONAS: A NEW GENUS WITH TWO SPECIES BELONGING TO A NEW ALGAL CLASS, THE BOLIDOPHYCEAE (HETEROKONTA)

A new algal class, the Bolidophyceae (Heterokonta), is described from one genus, Bolidomonas, gen. nov., and two species, Bolidomonas pacifica, sp. nov and Bolidomonas mediterranea, sp. nov., isolated from the equatorial Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, respectively. Both species are approximately 1.2 μm in diameter and have two unequal flagella; the longer flagellum bears tubular hairs, whereas the shorter is smooth. The flagellar basal apparatus is restricted to two basal bodies, and there is no transitional helix. Cells are naked, devoid of walls or siliceous structures. The internal cellular organization is simple with a single plastid containing a ring genophore and a girdle lamella, one mitochondrion with tubular cristae, and one Golgi apparatus close to the basal bodies. The Mediterranean and the Pacific species differ in the insertion angle between their flagella and their pattern of swimming, these differences possibly being linked to each other. Analyses of the SSU rDNA gene place the two strains as a sister group to the diatoms. Moreover, pigment analyses confirm this position, as fucoxanthin is found as the major carotenoid in both lineages. These data strongly suggest that the ancestral heterokont that gave rise to the diatom lineage was probably a biflagellated unicell.     

Model of the carbon concentrating mechanism in chloroplasts of eukaryotic algae

A generic chloroplast-based model for the carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM) in eukaryotic algae is presented. The fine structure of chloroplasts is represented by separate compartments: marginal and bulk stroma, pyrenoid, girdle lamella, bulk thylakoids, and central lamella traversing the pyrenoid. The roles of the individual structural elements of the chloroplast with respect to the CCM and the effect of carbonic anhydrase activity in various compartments are analysed. Hypothetical HCO(-)(3)transport into the acidic thylakoid lumen is adjusted by imposing an optimization principle: a given [CO(2)] at the site of RuBisCO is achieved with minimum energy costs for the CCM. Our model is highly efficient in terms of saturation of RuBisCO carboxylase activity and the affinity of the chloroplast for CO(2), if either a girdle lamella or a pyrenoid is present. The highest efficiency is achieved with a pyrenoid. A eukaryotic CCM is not necessarily associated with accumulation of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) as in cyanobacteria. Chloroplasts are categorized into four types corresponding to morphological characteristics of all major algal classes with regard to the presence of pyrenoids, girdle lamellae, and the distribution of CA activity.     

A new crustose red alga Peyssonnelia rumoiana (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) from Japan

The marine red alga Peyssonnelia rumoiana Kato et Masuda, sp. nov. (Peyssonneliaceae, Gigartinales) is described from warm‐ and cold‐temperate regions in Japan. It is principally characterized by having hypo‐thallial filaments comprising a polyflabelate layer, proximal perithallial cells arising from the whole upper surface of each hypothallial cell (Peyssonnelia rubra‐type anatomy) and closely packed in a firm matrix, the production of two filaments from the proximal perithallial cell, unicellular rhizoids, appressed crust margins and hypobasal calcification. The alga is distinguished from related species by: (i) its conspicuously elevated cystocarpic (100–150 μm high) and tetrasporangial (80–110 μm high) nemathecia; (ii) tetrasporangia with or without a unicellular pedicel; and (iii) large (25–45 μm in diameter by 70–115 μm in length) tetrasporangia and (iv) the production of double chains of spermatangia (Peyssonnelia harveyana‐type spermatangial development).     

SYMBIOSIS IN THE PLANKTONIC FORAMINIFER,ORBULINA UNIVERSA,AND THE ISOLATION OF ITS SYMBIOTIC DINOFLAGELLATE,GYMNODINIUM BÉII SP. NOV.1

The symbiotic association of the spinose planktonic foraminifer, Orbulina universa, with the dinoflagellate, Gymnodinium béii sp. nov., was examined with light and electron microscopy, and the symbiont was isolated into unialgal culture. The intact association is characterized by a diurnal movement of the symbionts from the distal regions of the spines during the day, to perialgal vacuoles within the host cytoplasm at night. This diurnal migration involves a daily endo- exocytotic cycle. Gymnodinium béii is non-motile and spindle-shaped within the host, whereas it is motile and gymnodinoid in shape when in culture. Ultrastructural examination revealed two or more stalked pyrenoids penetrated by lamellae, a typical dinokaryon nucleus and no trichocysts. A distinct ‘flange’projects over the sulcus from the hypocone. The swimming behavior of this dinoflagellate was characterized by intermittent darting events. Swimming speeds during a dart reached velocities of 770 μm. s^?1 as compared to a mean, non-darting swimming velocity of 126 μm. s^?1. Gymnodinium béii is eurythermal and division rates ranged between 0.16 and 0.65 divisions day^?1 for culture temperatures between 6.5 and 25° C respectively.     

Studies on the uptake and metabolism of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate and N6,O2-dibutyryl 3':5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate in sea urchin eggs

Structurally abnormal mitochondria were found in Candida utilis cells grown in the presence of either high copper concentrations or copper deficiency as compared with cells grown in standard media (copper 60 μg/l). In cells grown under conditions of copper deficiency the average size of the mitochondria is 0.6 μm compared with 0.2 μm of the normal cell, and the cristae have an abnormal appearance. In cells grown in the presence of high copper concentrations the mitochondrial size is up to 2–3 μm with poorly developed cristae and abnormal appearance of the matrix area.     

FRUSTULAR MORPHOLOGY AND TAXONOMIC AFFINITIES OF NAVICULA COMPLANATOIDES (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)1

Live and prepared cells of the marine pennate diatom Navicula complanatoides Hust. were examined with light and electron microscopy. It has narrowly lanceolate valves (26–55 μm long, 4–5 μm wide) and girdles 10–24 μm in depth. Striae are parallel at the center of the valve (24–28 in 10 μm), becoming slightly convergent toward the apices. Electron microscopy revealed that the external valve surface presents a longitudinally ribbed appearance (20–28 parallel ribs at its maximum width), whereas internally, rectangular areolae are occluded by ricae. The raphe slit lies in a narrow axial area, and one side of the raphe sternum is deeper and folds over the other, obscuring the internal opening. Internally, the central virga on one side of the raphe and two virgae on the other are somewhat broader. A conspicuous pore (stigma) is present between the two broadened virgae. The girdle consists of valvocopulae, copulae, and pleurae. There are 16–20 bands per cingulum. The valvocopulae and copulae are hollow tube-like structures, with inner and outer portions contrsting in morphology. They decrease in diameter in an abvalvar direction. There are four pleurae. These are flat bands which facilitate overlap of the epicingulum and hypocingulum. Fundamental features of the valve and girdle reveal the distinctness of this species within Navicula. The areolae, external longitudinal ribs, and raphe structure suggest affinities with Pleurosigma, Gyrosigma, and Haslea. It is hypothesized that they share a derived state which indicates a recent common ancestor for these taxa. N. complanatoides and related species of the Naviculae microstigmatacae are distinctive enough to merit their own genus within the Naviculaceae.     

Life history of Littorina scutulata and L. plena, sibling gastropod species with planktotrophic larvae

Abstract. The intertidal, sibling species Littorina scutulata and L. plena (Gastropoda, Proso‐branchia) are sympatric throughout most of their ranges along the Pacific coast of North America. Both species release disc‐shaped, planktonic egg capsules from which planktotrophic veliger larvae hatch. Here I review existing data and present new observations on these species' life history, including age at first reproduction, spawning season, maximum fecundity rates, capsule morphology, egg size and number, pre‐hatching development, larval growth at three food concentrations, potential settlement cues, planktonic period, and protoconch size. Previous classification of egg capsule morphologies used to distinguish the species is inaccurate; instead, capsules can be categorized into three types of which each species may produce two. Females of L. scutulata produced capsules with either two rims of unequal diameter or one rim, while females of L. plena produced capsules with one rim or two rims of nearly equal diameter. Females of each species spawned sporadically from early spring to early fall in Puget Sound. Larvae of L. plena hatched one day earlier than those of L. scutulata, and both species grew fastest in the laboratory at intermediate food concentrations. Larvae metamorphosed in the presence of a variety of materials collected from their adult habitat, including conspecific adults, algae, rocks, and barnacle tests. This is the first report of planktotrophic larvae in this genus metamorphosing in the laboratory. The total planktonic period of 8 larvae of L. scutulata raised in the laboratory was 37–70 days, and a single larva of L. plena metamorphosed after 62 days. Protoconch diameter of shells collected from the field was 256–436 μm and did not differ significantly between the species. Previous allozyme and mitochondrial DNA work has suggested high levels of genetic variability in both species and greater genetic population structure in L. plena, despite the long spawning season and long‐lived larvae in both species. The interspecific life history differences described here appear insufficient to produce consistent differences in gene flow patterns.     

Nouvelles données micropaléontologiques(Foraminifères planctoniques et petits Foraminifères benthiques) sur le stratotype de l'Aquitanien

The authors study the microfauna of small benthonic and planktonic Foraminifera from the Aquitanian stratotype and of a few exposures in the stratotype vicinity.Benthonic microfauna is rich: more than 150species have been collected; among them Miliolidae mainly belonging to the genera Quinqueloculina and Miliola.Planktonic Foraminifera are much less abundant:only 20 species. They authorize to place the stratotype at the boundary of N4–N5 Blow's zones.The figurations of many species are made withthe scanning electronic microscope.     

Tuzetia boeckella sp. nov. (protozoa: Microsporida), a parasite of Boeckella triarticulata (Copepoda: Calanoidea) in Australia

A hitherto undescribed microsporidan has been found in the Australian freshwater copepod, Boeckella triarticulata, collected from Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra. We name this protozoan Tuzetia boeckella n. sp. and describe it in this paper. Large numbers of spores were found in the muscle of both sexes and all stages of the animals. The pyriform spores measured 5.1 × 2.7 μm with the extruded polar filament measuring 102 μm. Ultrastructural studies revealed the presence of a pansporoblastic membrane around each spore. The polar filament was arranged in a single row of 13–14 turns and decreased in diameter toward the posterior end. Few details of the life cycle were elucidated; however, evidence is presented for each sporont forming eight spores. Differentiating characters to distinguish this species from the six other known members of the genus are given.     

Foraminifera and Nematoda community within the area of Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis field in Stark Strait (Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan)

In August of 2006 in Stark Strait (in the Peter the Great Bay) Foraminifera and Nematoda communities were investigated at two stations: in bottom under a red alga Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis bed and on a site located outside of the bed. Bottom sediments at the stations are represented by sands of various silting extent. Foraminifera dominated at both stations, the second place by abundance was occupied by Nematoda. Extremely high population density of meiobenthos, 14278.9 ± 4623.1 thousand sp./m², was observed under the Ahnfeltia bed. The foraminifera percentage was 98.1%, which was probably connected with the mass development of diatom algae on Ahnfeltia. A high degree of domination of one Foraminifera species was recorded—Cribroelphidium frigidum. Nematoda constituted 1.5% with the prevalence of Comesomatidae family representatives. At the station situated outside of Ahnfeltia field mean population density of meiobenthos was an order lower—1731.8 ± 621.3 thousand sp./m². Foraminifera constituted 63.8% of the total meiobenthos density with Eggerella advena as the dominating species. Among Nematoda (12.5%) Paracanthonchus macrodon, Axonolaimus seticaudatus and Monoposthia latiannulata were dominant. Foraminifera and Nematoda community under Ahnfeltia bed, where bottom sediments are more silted, had low indices of species diversity and a high degree of domination.     

An experimental study of phytoplankton feeding in three tilapiine cichlids

Three species of tilapia ( Oreochromis lidole, O. karongae and O. niloticus ) were fed on four planktonic algal diets in the laboratory. The algal concentrations were measured over a 24-h period and the ingestion rates calculated. In monocultures of large algae (average filament length=477 μm) O. niloticus had the highest ingestion rate, but on small algae (particle size <8 μm) O. lidole was the fastest, while O. karongae enhanced nanoplankton production. With algae of mixed sizes, O. niloticus was able to remove small algae quicker than the other fish species. Thus, the presence of larger algae can influence the impact of a planktivorous species on nanoplankton. O. lidole is likely to have the greatest impact on plankton communities heavily dominated by smaller algae.     

The effect of temporal variability in salinity on the invasive red alga Gracilaria vermiculophylla

Non-native, invasive species are often characterized by being tolerant to environmental stressors, leaving them more fit relative to native species. The red alga Gracilaria vermiculophylla originates from the NW Pacific but has recently spread along the coastlines of Western Europe, where it has become abundant in many shallow, soft-bottom estuaries. Salinity is important for the local and regional distribution of algae. The distribution of G. vermiculophylla in Europe suggests that it thrives well in hyposaline environments and that it may be more fit than some native algae under such conditions. Little, however, is known about the ecophysiology of G. vermiculophylla and it is therefore difficult to predict its spread and future distribution. Laboratory experiments with G. vermiculophylla showed that steady-state salinity above 15?psu was optimal for growth and that the growth rate was reduced at salinities below 15?psu. Variable salinity reduced the growth rate and larger oscillations were more stressful than small ones. Exposure to very low salinity (0–5?psu) was stressful for the alga and algae exposed to these low levels for 2–4 days were unable to recover fully. Gracilaria vermiculophylla did not seem to perform better in hyposaline conditions than many native, estuarine species. The present distribution of G. vermiculophylla in Scandinavia can be explained well by its response to salinity, but this may not explain its present success relative to many naturally occurring algal species.     

山西永济白草坪组具刺疑源类的发现及其地质意义

该文着重报道了山西永济白草坪组(一般认为系中元古界上部相当于蓟县系的层位),以具刺疑源类为主的微化石群,计有4类6属15种,其中包括1新属,4新种,1新组合,1亲近种,2未定种,新属是具细网状纹饰的复杂具刺疑源类Shuiyousphaeridium Yan gen.nov.,4新种是Shuiyousphaeridium membraniferum Yan sp.nov.,Dictyosphaera incrassate Yan sp.nov.,Foliomorpha stipuliferaYan sp.nov.,Manicosiphoninema shuiyouense Yan sp.nov.。本微化石群以球形疑源类为主体,以具刺疑源类的大量发育为特征,并伴生有推测是绿藻和褐藻的化石,其组合面貌与蓟县上前寒武系各组皆有明显区别,具有更高的进化程度,从生物地层标志推测白草坪组所在的汝阳群应归入震旦系。白草坪组具刺疑源类可能是横裂甲藻的原始分子,它在地层对比和藻类进化方面皆具有重要意义。     

Urceolaria viridis n. sp., a Ciliate (Peritrichida, Mobilina) with Elongate Symbiotic Green Algae

SYNOPSIS. A new peritrichous ciliate containing elongate symbiotic green algae is described from the marine limpet Acmaea digitalis Eschscholtz (1833). Urceolaria viridis n. sp. is characterized as follows: turban-shaped; diam. 40 μ; diam. striated band 30 μ; diam. corona 23 μ; width of corona 2μ; 16–22 denticles; peristome slightly more than one turn; circlet of delicate cirri adoral to ciliary girdle; macronucleus H-shaped with both ends of side pieces widely separated; diam. micronucleus 4.5 μ, endosome 2.5 μ; cytoplasm containing elongate green algae measuring 2–4 by 8–16 μ.