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Syltodinium listii gen. et spec. nov., a marine ectoparasitic dinoflagellate on eggs of copepods and rotifers

Abstract

Syltodinium listii is described as a new marine ectoparasitic dinoflagellate. In culture experiments the species was found feeding on eggs of planktonic copepods and rotifers. The dinospore penetrates the host by a peduncle, and transforms into a trophont by sucking out the egg contents phagotrophically. After detaching from the host, the mature trophont settles down to become a palmelloid multiplication stage. By repeated binary fission, up to 16 or 32 gymnodinoid, colourless dinospores are formed inside a gelatinous envelope. The parasite retains its dinoflagellate (monadoid) nature throughout its whole vegetative life cycle. Even during the trophic and multiplication phase the species remains latently motile. Despite some resemblance toDissodinium, there are sufficient reasons for the establishment of the new genusSyltodinium.

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Dedicated to Dr. Dr. h. c. P. Kornmann on the occasion of his eightieth birthday

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Drebes, G. Syltodinium listii gen. et spec. nov., a marine ectoparasitic dinoflagellate on eggs of copepods and rotifers. Helgolander Meeresunters 42, 583–591 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02365628

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