Toxicity
provided by Harmful Phytoplankton Project
Produces PSPs, c1-c4, saxitoxins, gonyautoxins (Fukuyo et al. 1985; Taylor et al. 1995) and possibly even icthyotoxins (Ogata & Kodama 1986).
- bibliographic citation
- Guide to UK Coastal Planktonic Ciliates © 2001 DJS Montagnes, University of Liverpool http://www.liv.ac.uk/ciliate/
- author
- David J.S. Montagnes
Comprehensive Description
provided by Harmful Phytoplankton Project
Although individuals from this species can exist on their own they tend to form chains (2, 4 or 8 individuals long). Cells are armoured, semicircular (longer in width than length), anterio-posteriorly compressed, with a rounded apex and a slightly concave antapex. The apical pore plate (po) houses the characteristic fishhook shaped foramen. A. catenalla has yellow green to orange-brown chloroplasts and a U-shaped nucleus (Whedon & Kofoid 1936). Forms a resting cyst as part of it?s lifecycle.
- Meksumpun, S., Montani, S. & Uematsu, M.(1994). Elemental components of cyst walls of three marine phytoflagellates, Chattonella antiqua (Raphidophyceae), Alexandrium catenella adn Scrippsiella trochoidea (Dinophyceae). Phycologia 33: 275-280.
- Yoshimatsu, S. (1981). Sexual reproduction of Protogonyaulax catenella in culture I. Heterothallism. Bull. Plank. Soc. Jpn. 28: 131-139.
- Fukuyo, Y., K. Yoshida and H. Inoue (1985). Protogonyaulax in Japanese coastal waters. In: D.M. Anderson, A.W. White and D.G. Baden (eds), Toxic Dinoflagellates, Elsevier, New York: 27-32.
- Penna, E. Garcés, M. Vila , M. G. Giacobbe, S. Fraga, A. Lugliè, I. Bravo, E. Bertozzini and C. Vernesi (2005). Alexandrium catenella (Dinophyceae), a toxic ribotype expanding in the NW Mediterranean Sea. Marine Biology 148: 13?23.
- Ogata, T. & Kodama, M. (1986). Ichthyotoxicity found in cultured media of Protogonyaulax spp. Mar. Biol. 92: 31-34.
- Hallegraeff, G.M. (1991). Aquaculturists Guide to Harmful Australian Microalgae. Fishing Industry Training Board of Tasmania/CSIRO Division of Fisheries, Hobart, 111 pp.
- bibliographic citation
- Guide to UK Coastal Planktonic Ciliates © 2001 DJS Montagnes, University of Liverpool http://www.liv.ac.uk/ciliate/
- author
- David J.S. Montagnes
Diagnostic Description
provided by Harmful Phytoplankton Project
The hypotheca and epitheca are equal in size. The hypotheca has highly prominent sulcal lists. In the chain form the species also forms both anterior and posterior attachment pores (aap, pap) (Hallegraeff 1991). The apical pore plate (po) comes in contact with 1? and houses a characteristic fishhook shaped foramen (both defining features of the species). It also lacks a ventral pore plate which is rare. The cingulum is in the centre of the cell and is buried deep into the cell.
- bibliographic citation
- Guide to UK Coastal Planktonic Ciliates © 2001 DJS Montagnes, University of Liverpool http://www.liv.ac.uk/ciliate/
- author
- David J.S. Montagnes
Habitat
provided by Harmful Phytoplankton Project
Temperature: 17-23°C; Salinity: 26? 32?
- bibliographic citation
- Guide to UK Coastal Planktonic Ciliates © 2001 DJS Montagnes, University of Liverpool http://www.liv.ac.uk/ciliate/
- author
- David J.S. Montagnes
Reproduction
provided by Harmful Phytoplankton Project
This species usually reproduces asexually via binary fission however it does have a sexual cycle (with 2 opposite mating types (heterothallism)). Opposing gametes fuse forming a planozygote, which then encysts into the resting cyst (Yoshimatsu 1981). The cyst is roughly ellipsoidal with rounded ends; it is covered by a smooth wall and a mucilaginous substance (Meksumpun et al. 1994).
- bibliographic citation
- Guide to UK Coastal Planktonic Ciliates © 2001 DJS Montagnes, University of Liverpool http://www.liv.ac.uk/ciliate/
- author
- David J.S. Montagnes
Distribution
provided by Harmful Phytoplankton Project
Exists in most of the earths temperate seas including the Mediterranean were it?s numbers are rapidly increasing (Penna et al. 2005)
- bibliographic citation
- Guide to UK Coastal Planktonic Ciliates © 2001 DJS Montagnes, University of Liverpool http://www.liv.ac.uk/ciliate/
- author
- David J.S. Montagnes
