1. Morphology, ultrastructure, and small subunit rDNA phylogeny of the marine heterotrophic flagellate Goniomonas aff. amphinema.
- Author
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Martin-Cereceda M, Roberts EC, Wootton EC, Bonaccorso E, Dyal P, Guinea A, Rogers D, Wright CJ, and Novarino G
- Subjects
- Cluster Analysis, Cryptophyta genetics, Cryptophyta isolation & purification, DNA, Algal chemistry, DNA, Algal genetics, DNA, Ribosomal chemistry, DNA, Ribosomal genetics, Feeding Behavior, Genes, rRNA, Lectins metabolism, Microscopy, Atomic Force, Microscopy, Confocal, Microscopy, Electron, Microscopy, Video, Phylogeny, Protein Binding, RNA, Algal genetics, RNA, Ribosomal, 18S genetics, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid, Wales, Wheat Germ Agglutinins metabolism, Cryptophyta classification, Cryptophyta cytology, Seawater parasitology
- Abstract
Marine goniomonads have a worldwide distribution but ultrastructural information has not been available so far. An isolate of the heterotrophic marine nanoflagellate Goniomonas (G. aff. amphinema) from North Wales (UK) has been studied, providing information on its morphology and cellular structure using video, electron, laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), and atomic force microscopy. Here, we describe a new feature, a granular area, potentially involved in particle capture and feeding. The binding of the lectin wheat germ agglutinin to the granular area of cells with discharged ejectisomes indicates the adhesive nature of this novel feature. The presence of a microtubular intracellular cytopharynx, apparently also used for feeding, has been revealed by LSCM. The small subunit rRNA gene of the isolate has been sequenced (1,788 bp). Phylogenetic results corroborate significant genetic divergence within the marine members of Goniomonas. This work highlights the need for integrated morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular investigation when describing and studying heterotrophic nanoflagellates.
- Published
- 2010
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