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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. 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.
    2. 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).

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