• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2013

The coral symbiotic algae zooxanthellae is often expelled from the host as the host coral is under physiological stress, causing the coral to turn completely white. Such coral bleaching events are occurring more frequently with the increase in the global warming, ocean acidification and increased level of anthropogenic impacts such as eutrophication. In the present study, we investigated the effects of inorganic nutrients including ammonium, nitrate, phosphate and elevated water temperature on the symbiotic zooxanthellae density in the fragment of branching coral Acropora nobilis. Zooxanthellae density in the host coral decreased 8 hrs after the experiment at a given elevated water temperature ($32^{\circ}C$, p < 0.05). In contrast, no clear coral bleaching or decrease in the symbiotic algae density was observed from the branching coral exposed to a normal water temperature of $30^{\circ}C$ and high levels of nutrients such as 20 ${\mu}M$ of $NH_4Cl$, 20 ${\mu}M$ of $NaNO_3$ and, 10 ${\mu}M$ $KH_2PO_4$. Accordingly, the data indicated high water temperature is one of the stressful factors to cause bleaching in A. nobilis, whereas the high levels of nutrients is not a factor. It is believed that the results obtained in the present study are useful as baseline information in the management of the coral reefs.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.291-297
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• 2001

Three species of endosymbiotic dinoflagellates, zooxanthellae, are investigated from six host species of anthozoans from Korea. Three unrecorded endosymbionts species are Symbiodinium kawagutii, Symbiodinium microadriaticum, and Symbiodinium sp. Symbiodinium kawagutii Is associated with Alveopora japonica, Anthopleura japonica and Parasicyonis actinostoloides. Symbiodinium microadiraticum is found in Anthopleura kurogane and Parasicyonis sp. Unlike the former two symbionts, Symbiodinium sp. is associated with Anthopleura midori.

• ALGAE
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.299-310
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• 2014

Dinoflagellates in the genus Symbiodinium are known as zooxanthellae and exist as either symbiotic or free-living forms. Among this genus, two species, Symbiodinium minutum and Symbiodinium psygmophilum, were recently established based on genetic characters. However, some critical morphological characters of these species, such as plate formulae and related diagnoses have not been provided yet. In this study, we analyzed the morphology of S. minutum and S. psygmophilum by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The S. minutum had the Kofoidian plate formula consisting of a small plate (x), elongated amphiesmal vesicle (EAV), 4', 5a, 8", 7s, two cingulum rows, 18-20c, 6''', and 2'''', while S. psygmophilum had x, EAV, 4', 5a, 8", 7-10s, two cingulum rows, 20-22c, 5-6''', and 1''''. These plate formulae are different from any other reported Symbiodinium species. In addition, both species had a pentagonal 1a plate and a hexagonal 2a plate, while other known Symbiodinium species had a hexagonal 1a plate and a pentagonal 2a plate. Thus, we confirm the species status of S. minutum and S. psygmophilum based on morphological and genetic characters and report the detailed morphological characteristics of these two species.