Search

During a survey of trichodinids in Chongqing, China, two populations of Trichodina reticulata Hirschmann & Partsch, 1955 were isolated from gills of the freshwater fishes, Carassius auratus and Ctenopharyngodon idellus, and 11 molecular samples containing small subunit (SSU) rDNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)‐5.8S rDNA were newly sequenced. Both populations fell within the range of morphometry and corresponded well with the diagnostic morphological features of Trichodina reticulata Hirschmann & Partsch, 1955. It should be noted that one population possessed obvious central granules in the adhesive disc, while the other one did not. The detailed morphological redescription for these two populations is given in this work. Although some intraspecific differences were found, both populations were confirmed as Trichodina reticulata based on the morphological study and molecular data, including the sequence analysis of the primary and secondary structures of SSU rDNA, genetic distances and phylogenetic tree. Our study supports the assertion that central granules in the adhesive disc might be an auxiliary feature rather than a heritable character for determining taxonomic affiliations among trichodinids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrent fish kills in the Spanish Alfacs Bay (NW Mediterranean) have been detected during winter seasons since 1994, and were attributed to an unarmored, ichthyotoxic, dinoflagellate, initially identified as Gyrodinium corsicum Paulmier, Berland, Billard, & Nezan. Several strains were isolated from the bay and their clonal cultures were compared by combined techniques, including light and electron microscopy, internal transcribed spacer and 5.8S rDNA nucleotide sequencing, and HPLC pigment analyses, together with studies of their photochemical performance, growth rates, and toxicity. Using phylogenetic analyses, all strains were identified as members of the genus Karlodinium, but they were separated into two genetically distinct groups. These groups, identified as Karlodinium veneficum (Ballantine) J. Larsen and K. armiger Bergholtz, Daugbjerg et. Moestrup, were also supported by the other techniques used. Detailed analyses of fine structural characteristics (including plug-like structures in amphiesma and a possible layer of semi-opaque material beneath the outer membrane) allowed discrimination of the mentioned two species. Specific differences in pigment patterns coincided with that expected for low- ( K. veneficum) and high-light ( K. armiger) adapted relatives. The higher photosynthetic efficiency of K. veneficum and the longer reactivation times of the PSII reaction centers observed for K. armiger were in agreement with this hypothesis. The two species differed in toxicity, but the strains used always induced mortality when incubated with bivalves, rotifers, and finfish. Compared with K. armiger, strains of K. veneficum yielded higher cell densities, but had lower growth rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]