• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.181-194
• /
• 2002

Parasitism is a one-sided relationship between two organisms in which one benefits at the expense of the other. Parasitic dinoflagellates, particularly species of Amoebophrya, have long been thought to be a potential biological agent for controlling harmful algal bloom(HAB). Amoebophrya infections have been reported for over 40 species representing more than 24 dinoflagellate genera including a few toxic species. Parasitic dinoflagellates Amoebophrya spp. have a relatively simple life cycle consisting of an infective dispersal stage (dinospore), an intracellular growth stage(trophont), and an extracellular reproductive stage(vermiform). Biology of dinospores such as infectivity, survival, and ability to successfully infect host cells differs among dinoflagellate host-parasite systems. There are growing reports that Amoebophrya spp.(previously, collectively known as Amoebophrya ceratii) exhibit the strong host specificity and would be a species complex composed of several host-specific taxa, based on the marked differences in host-parasite biology, cross infection, and molecular genetic data. Dinoflagellates become reproductively incompetent and are eventually killed by the parasite once infected. During the infection cycle of the parasite, the infected host exhibits ecophysiologically different patterns from those of uninfected host in various ways. Photosynthetic performance in autotrophic dinoflagellates can be significantly altered following infection by parasitic dinoflagellate Amoebophrya, with the magnitude of the effects over the infection cycle of the parasite depending on the site of infection. Parasitism by the parasitic dinoflagellate Amoebophrya could have significant impacts on host behavior such as diel vertical migration. Parasitic dinoflagellates may not only stimulate rapid cycling of dissolved organic materials and/or trace metals but also would repackage the relatively large sized host biomass into a number of smaller dinospores, thereby leading to better retention of host's material and energy within the microbial loop. To better understand the roles of parasites in plankton ecology and harmful algal dynamics, further research on a variety of dinoflagellate host-parasite systems is needed.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.122-129
• /
• 2004

Harmful Cochlodinium polykrikoides is a notorious harmful algal bloom (HAB) species that is causing mass mortality of farmed fish along the Korean coast with increasing frequency. We analyzed the sequence of the large subunit (LSD) rDNA D1-D3 region of C. polykrikoides and conducted phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian inference of phylogeny and the maximum likelihood method. The molecular phylogeny showed that C. polykrikoides had the genetic relationship to Amphidinium and Gymnodinium species supported only by the relatively high posterior probabilities of Bayesian inference. Based on the LSU rDNA sequence data of diverse dinoflagellate taxa, we designed the C. polykrikoides-specific PCR primer set, CPOLY01 and CPOLY02 and developed PCR detection assays for its sensitive, accurate HAB monitoring. CPOLY01 and CPOLY02 specifically amplified C. polykrikoides and did not cross-react with any dinoflagellates tested in this study or environmental water samples. The effective annealing temperature $(T_{p})$ of CPOLY01 and CPOLY02 was $67^{\circ}C$. At this temperature, the conventional and nested PCR assays were sensitive over a wide range of C. polykrikoides cell numbers with detection limits of 0.05 and 0.0001 cells/reaction, respectively.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
• /
• v.24 no.8
• /
• pp.447-453
• /
• 2005

Laboratory measurements were performed in a uni-algae medium Cochlodinium polykrikoides (Phytoplankton, dinoflagellates) using an Underwater Ultrasound $(5\~15\;MHz)$ to study Characteristics of Acoustic Backscattering of Harmful algae. In an effort to detect the harmful algal scatterers with population density of less than 300 cells/ml that corresponds to the precaution stage of red tide, backscattered signals from various scatterer-density samples were obtained and analyzed. Correlations between volume backscattering strength (Sv) and population density (cells/ml) of scatterers in the medium have been investigated. Comparison of Volume Backscattering Strengths calculated with the fluid-sphere model [1] and the measured values showed an agreement.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.111-117
• /
• 2000

To clarify the ichthyotoxic mechanisms of a harmful dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides, hematological responses of the flounder Paralichthys olivaceus and red sea bream Pagrus major exposed to this algal bloom were investigated. The mortality of red sea bream was considerably larger than that of flounder, and the threshold lethal density of C. polykrikoides to the test fish was approximately 3,000 cells/ml. Blood $PO_2$declined in proportion to the increasing density of algal cells. The blood $PO_2$ of moribund fish was about $40-60\% of control test fish. Particularly, the fishes began to be killed when the blood $PO_2$ fell below 30-40 mmHg. However, the blood pH dropped almost 1.0 unit just before fish kill. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels of fish exposed to C. polykrikoides of 5,000 cells/ml for 24 h and of moribund fish did not show great difference. The concentrations of plasma $Na^+$, $K^+$ and $Cl^-$ were slightly elevated to different magnitudes except $Ca^{2+}$ and plasma osmolality was also increased in Cochlodinium-exposed fish. In the plasma cortisol level, these values of moribund flounder and red sea bream were 4- 5 times higher than those of control fish. These results suggest that the drop of blood $PO_2$ was may be one of the principal causes of fish kill by C. polykrikoides, and the changes of other hematological parameters were secondary responses elicited by the decrease in blood $PO_2$.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.11
• /
• pp.1453-1463
• /
• 2007

This study presents a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the harmful dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides, by use of partial sequence of small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene from most of the major taxa(24 species) in dinoflagellates. The class Dinophyceae clade formed a strong monophyletic relationship with C. polykrikoides and several taxa. On the basis of deeper nodes, the phylogenetic relationships placed C. polykrikoides closer to the order Prorocentrales rather than to the order Gymnodiniales, which was supported by a strong bootstrap value (100%) in the analyses of Neighbor-Joining and Parsimony methods. There is strong support for C. polykrikoides being placed in the same branch as Gymnodiniaceae and being connected in a clade with Prororcentrum micans among Prorocentrales. Morphological data show that C. polykrikoides is well associated with the genus Gyrodinium; however, this species is genetically closer to Gymnodinium than to Gyrodinium. The placement of C. polykrikoides always formed an independent branch separated from other dinoflagellates. In conclusion, planktonic P. micans plays an important role as an ancestor of Gymnodinium, whereas C. polykrikoides appears to be used an intermediate position between P. micans and Gymnodinium based on evolution.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.111-126
• /
• 2023

Mixotrophic dinoflagellates act as primary producers, prey, and predators in marine planktonic food webs, whereas exclusively autotrophic dinoflagellates are primary producers and prey. Species of the dinoflagellate genus Scrippsiella are commonly found in marine ecosystems and sometimes cause harmful red tides. Among the 28 formally described Scrippsiella species, S. acuminata has been found to be mixotrophic and two unidentified species have been found to be mixotrophic. To determine whether the other species in this genus are similarly mixotrophic, the mixotrophic ability of S. donghaiensis SDGJ1703, S. lachrymosa SLBS1703, S. masanensis SSMS0908, S. plana SSSH1009A, and S. ramonii VGO1053 was explored using 15 potential prey items, including 2-㎛ fluorescently labeled microspheres (FLM) and heterotrophic bacteria (FLB), the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp., and various microalgal prey species. The ability of S. acuminata to feed on FLM and FLB was also investigated. We found that S. donghaiensis, S. lachrymosa, S. masanensis, S. plana, and S. ramonii did not feed on any potential prey tested in this study, indicating a lack of mixotrophy. However, S. acuminata fed on both FLM and FLB, confirming its mixotrophic ability. These results lowered the proportion of mixotrophic species relative to the total number of tested Scrippsiella species for mixotrophy from 100% to 29-38%. Owing to its mixotrophic ability, S. acuminata occupies an ecological niche that is distinct from that of S. donghaiensis, S. lachrymosa, S. masanensis, S. plana, and S. ramonii.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.359-369
• /
• 2007

Amoebophrya is an obligate endoparasitic eukaryotic dinoflagellate infecting host species and eventually killing them within a short period. Because of its host specificity and significant impacts on population dynamics of host species, it has long been proposed to be a potential biological agent for controlling harmful algal bloom (HAB). For several decades, the difficulties of culturing host - parasite systems have been a great obstacle to further research on the biology of Amoebophrya but recent success of several culture systems reactivates this research field. In this study, as a preliminary work for understanding the impacts of Amoebophrya on the population dynamics of host species, semimonthly occurrence of infected host dinoflagellates by Amoebophrya spp. had been observed in Jinhae Bay for two years and with a host - parasite system cultivated, host specificity of Amoebophrya spp. on several dinoflagellates was tested. Amoebophrya spp. were observed in the cellular organelle and cytoplasm of several species including Akashiwo sanguinea, Ceratium fusus, Dinophysis acuminata, Heterocapsa triquetra, Oblea sp., Prorocentrum minimum, P. triestinum, Scrippsiella spinifera, and S. trochoidea. Among them two host - parasite systems for an athecate dinoflagellate, A. sanguinea, and for a thecate dinoflagellate, H. triquetra, had been able to be successfully established as laboratary cultures. Cross-infection tests for 6 species of dinoflagellates in which Amoebophrya was observed or had been reported to exist confirmed high preference for host species of the parasite. Through the continuous research on Amoebophrya occurring in Korean coastal waters, we need to maintain various host - parasite culture systems, which will be very helpful for understanding its ecological role in marine food webs and for applying the species to biologically control harmful algal blooms.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.68-72
• /
• 2009

To gain a greater understanding of the potential for future harmful algal bloom (HAB) outbreaks and to trace the dispersal paths of dinoflagellates, sediment samples were collected from 13 stations in the southeastern Yellow Sea. 23 different types of dinoflagellate resting cysts were identified from the samples. Protoceratium reticulatum (1-391 cells/g dry weight), Gonyaulax scrippsae (0-254 cells/g dry weight), G. spinifera (0-301 cells/g dry weight) and Alexandrium spp. (ellipsoidal type) (0-76 cells/g dry weight) were the dominant species at all surveyed stations. The overall distribution pattern demonstrated that the resting cyst densities were highest in the offshore area and decreased gradually toward the Korean coast. On the other hand, the composition rate of resting cysts of the heterotrophic dinoflagellate species to the total dinoflagellates was higher in the Korean coast region than in the offshore area. We supposed that this distribution pattern of dinoflagellate resting cysts appeared to be influenced by the hydrographic features and environmental conditions of the Yellow Sea.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.17-31
• /
• 2016

To explore the feeding ecology of the newly described heterotrophic dinoflagellate Aduncodinium glandula in the family Pfiesteriaceae, its feeding behavior and prey species were investigated. Additionally, the growth and ingestion rates of A. glandula on the mixotrophic dinoflagellates Heterocapsa triquetra and Akashiwo sanguinea, its optimal and suboptimal prey, respectively were measured. A. glandula fed on prey through a peduncle after anchoring to the prey using a tow filament. A. glandula ate all algal prey and perch blood cells tested and had the most diverse prey species in the family Pfiesteriaceae. Unlike for other pfiesteriacean species, H. triquetra and A. sanguinea support the positive growth of A. glandula. However, the cryptophytes Rhodomonas salina and Teleaulax sp. and the phototrophic dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae did not support the positive growth of A. glandula. Thus, A. glandula may have a unique kind of prey and its optimal prey differs from that of the other pfiesteriacean dinoflagellates. With increasing mean prey concentration, the growth rates of A. glandula on H. triquetra and A. sanguinea increased rapidly and then slowed or became saturated. The maximum growth rates when feeding on H. triquetra and A. sanguinea were 1.004 and 0.567 d⁻¹, respectively. Further, the maximum ingestion rates of A. glandula on H. triquetra and A. sanguinea were 0.75 and 1.38 ng C predator⁻¹ d⁻¹, respectively. There is no other pfiesteriacean species having H. triquetra and A. sanguinea as optimal and suboptimal prey. Thus, A. glandula may be abundant during blooms dominated by these species not preferred by the other pfiesteriacean dinoflagellates.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.1-16
• /
• 2024

Many dinoflagellates produce bioluminescence. To estimate the intensity of bioluminescence produced by populations of the heterotrophic dinoflagellates Noctiluca scintillans and Polykrikos kofoidii and autotrophic dinoflagellate Alexandrium mediterraneum in Korean waters, we measured cellular bioluminescence intensity as a function of water temperature and calculated population bioluminescence intensity with cell abundances and water temperature. The mean 200-second-integrated bioluminescence intensity per cell (BL_cell) of N. scintillans satiated with the chlorophyte Dunaliella salina decreased continuously with increasing water temperature from 5 to 25℃. However, the BL_cell of P. kofoidii satiated with the mixotrophic dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum continuously increased from 5 to 15℃ but decreased at temperatures exceeding this (to 30℃). Similarly, the BL_cell of A. mediterraneum continuously increased from 10 to 20℃ but decreased between 20 and 30℃. The difference between highest and lowest BL_cell of N. scintillans, P. kofoidii, and A. mediterraneum at the tested water temperatures was 3.5, 11.8, and 21.0 times, respectively, indicating that water temperature clearly affected BL_cell. The highest estimated population bioluminescence intensity (BL_popul) of N. scintillans in Korean waters in 1998-2022 was 4.22 × 10¹³ relative light unit per liter (RLU L^-1), which was 1,850 and 554,000 times greater than that of P. kofoidii and A. mediterraneum, respectively. This indicates that N. scintillans populations produced much brighter bioluminescence in Korean waters than the populations of P. kofoidii or A. mediterraneum.