Bibliographic Detail
Norén, F., Moestrup, Ø. & Rehnstarn-Holm, A.-S., 1999
Reference:
Norén, F., Moestrup, Ø. & Rehnstarn-Holm, A.-S. (1999). Parvilucifera infectans Norén et Moestrup gen. et sp. nov. (Perkinsozoa phylum nov.): a parasitic flagellate capable of killing toxic microalgae. European Journal of Protistology 35: 233-254.
Notes:
PDF downloaded from Researchgate.
Abstract:
The toxic dinoflagellate Dinophysis, collected on the
Swedish West Coast, was found to contain round bodies
previously interpreted as the result of sexual reproduction.
After two weeks of darkness in the refrigerator, all Dinophysis
had died, however, and round bodies were present.
These proved to be sporangia of a parasitic protist, here
named Parvilucifera infectans gen. et sp. nov. Its identity
was examined by LM, EM, and DNA sequencing. It is related
to Perkinsus, an oyster-killing protist, and Colpodella,
a phagocytic protist. Perkinsus has been indicated by
18SrRNA sequencing to be related to dinoflagellates, and
the opportunity was taken to examine the ultrastructure
of the flagellar apparatus of Parvilucifera in detail. Parvilucifera
and its allies, known as perkinsids, share features
with both dinoflagellates and apicomplexans. They do not
fit readily into any of these groups but appear to form a
missing link between them. They are described as a taxon
on level with the other alvelolate phyla, as Perkinsozoa
phylum nov.
Infection studies showed that Parvilucifera infectans infects
several other dinoflagellates, notably Alexandrium spp.
which are responsible for PSP (paralytic shellfish poisoning).
A discussion of the ecologicalrole, in terms of biocontrol
of harmful algal blooms, is included.
