ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE RED TIDE DINOFLAGELLATE GYMNODINIUM BREVE. I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION1,2,3 |
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Authors: | Karen A Steidinger Earnest W Truby Clinton J Dawes |
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Abstract: | Gymnodimium breve Davis, an unarmored marine dinoflagellate has a cell covering (theca) composed of four membranes. The inner two membranes represent a vesicular layer and in tangential section, the theca appears composed of polygonal areas. Unusual threat ridges are located in the cingular region between the epi- and hypocone. This osmotically sensitive species is extremely vesiculate with dispersed areas of cytoplasm containing typical eukaryotic organelles as well as other organelles found only in dinoflagellates. The non-vesiculated cytoplasm is continuous in serial sections. The chloroplasts can contain either quasi-radial or parallel lamellae typically consisting of three thylakoids each. The pyrenoid is multiple-stalked and lacks a starch cap. The dinophycean pusule is simple and similar to those found in several unarmored marine species. The nucleus is typically dinophycean but the chromosomes appear to lack nonfibrillar material. |
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Keywords: | cell covering chloroplast chromosomes dinoflagellate Dinophyceae Gymnodinium pyrenoid red tide theca |
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