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Cryptophyte algae are robbed of their organelles by the marine ciliate Mesodinium rubrum

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  • Daniel E. Gustafson

    (University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory, PO Box 775)

  • Diane K. Stoecker

    (University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory, PO Box 775)

  • Matthew D. Johnson

    (University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory, PO Box 775)

  • William F. Van Heukelem

    (University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory, PO Box 775)

  • Kerri Sneider

    (University of Maryland, Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory, PO Box 775)

Abstract

Mesodinium rubrum (Lohmann 1908) Jankowski 1976 (= Myrionecta rubra)1,2 is a common photosynthetic marine planktonic ciliate which can form coastal red-tides3. It may represent a ‘species complex’4,5 and since Darwin's voyage on the Beagle, it has been of great cytological, physiological and evolutionary interest4. It is considered to be functionally a phytoplankter because it was thought to have lost the capacity to feed and possesses a highly modified algal endosymbiont5,6. Whether M. rubrum is the result of a permanent endosymbiosis or a transient association between a ciliate and an alga is controversial7. We conducted ‘feeding’ experiments to determine how exposure to a cryptophyte alga affects M. rubrum. Here we show that although M. rubrum lacks a cytostome (oral cavity)8, it ingests cryptophytes and steals their organelles, and may not maintain a permanent endosymbiont. M. rubrum does not fall into recognized cellular or functional categories, but may be a chimaera partially supported by organelle robbery.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel E. Gustafson & Diane K. Stoecker & Matthew D. Johnson & William F. Van Heukelem & Kerri Sneider, 2000. "Cryptophyte algae are robbed of their organelles by the marine ciliate Mesodinium rubrum," Nature, Nature, vol. 405(6790), pages 1049-1052, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:405:y:2000:i:6790:d:10.1038_35016570
    DOI: 10.1038/35016570
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    Cited by:

    1. McEwan, Nicole & Pawlowicz, Rich & Pakhomov, Evgeny & Maldonado, Maria T., 2023. "Seasonality of modelled planktonic food web structure in the Strait of Georgia, Canada," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 482(C).
    2. Toshiyuki Takahashi, 2017. "Life Cycle Analysis of Endosymbiotic Algae in an Endosymbiotic Situation with Paramecium bursaria Using Capillary Flow Cytometry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-14, September.

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