SIMILARITIES IN THE ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE OCEANIC DINOFLAGELLATES, PYROCYSTIS FUSIFORMIS, PYROCYSTIS LUNULA, AND PYROCYSTIS NOCTILUCA1
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
1-1-1971
Abstract
Three cultured species of Pyrocystis (Dinoccoccales) reproduced asexually by forming 2 (or 1) aplanospores or zoospores inside the parent cell wall. In all 3 species these small reproductive cells, although they may not resemble the parent cells, swell up rapidly (∼ 10 min) to the approximate size and shape of the parent cell. These swollen cells become new vegetative cells. The above asexual process is the only way by which cells numbers increase in our cultures. Pyrocystis lunula was propagated at the lunula stage of the life cycle. The nonmotile crescent‐shaped cells produced reproductive cells that were Gymnodinium‐shaped and had, in some cases, a trailing flagellum. With P. fusiformis and P. noctiluca, the reproductive cells were not flagellated. With P. fusiformis, these bodies had a pronounced equatorial constriction like a girdle, while in P. noctiluca the “girdle” was an inconspicuous feature if present. With P. noctiluca and P. fusiformis on a 12:12 ld cycle, reproductive cells were formed early in the dark period and they swelled up at the beginning of the light period. Reproduction of P. lunula was not well phased in our experiments, with reproductive cells developing at the end of the light period and the end of the dark period. Copyright © 1971, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Journal of Phycology
Volume
7
Issue
2
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Swift, Elijah, and Edward G. Durbin. "SIMILARITIES IN THE ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE OCEANIC DINOFLAGELLATES, PYROCYSTIS FUSIFORMIS, PYROCYSTIS LUNULA, AND PYROCYSTIS NOCTILUCA1." Journal of Phycology 7, 2 (1971). doi: 10.1111/j.1529-8817.1971.tb01486.x.