Morphology and SSU rDNA phylogeny of Durinskia agilis (Kofoid & Swezy) comb. nov. (Peridiniales, Dinophyceae), a thecate, marine, sand-dwelling dinoflagellate formerly classified within Gymnodinium

Abstract

Saburova M., Chomérat N. and Hoppenrath M. 2012. Morphology and SSU rDNA phylogeny of Durinskia agilis (Kofoid & Swezy) comb. nov. (Peridiniales, Dinophyceae), a thecate, marine, sand-dwelling dinoflagellate formerly classified within Gymnodinium. Phycologia 51: 287–302. DOI: 10.2216/10-22.1

A new taxon of the dinoflagellate genus Durinskia Carty & Cox, previously considered a member of Gymnodinium Stein, is characterized from intertidal sand flats of Kuwait, in the northwestern part of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. The taxonomic status of this dinoflagellate was reassessed on the basis of morphological and molecular data. Light and electron microscopical examinations revealed a previously undescribed delicate theca. The thecal plate formula is Po, x, 4′, 2a, 7″, 5c, 6s, 5‴, 2‴′. Based on the cell shape, thecal plate arrangement, the presence of a slit-like apical pore and an eyespot, as well as on SSU rDNA sequence data, the organism is reclassified as Durinskia agilis (Kofoid & Swezy) Saburova, Chomérat & Hoppenrath comb. nov. Morphology and molecular phylogenetic analysis confirm the affiliation with other diatom-harbouring dinoflagellates.

Key Words::

• Benthic
• Diatom endosymbionts
• Dinoflagellates
• Durinskia
• Gymnodinium
• Kuwait
• Marine
• Peridinioid
• Sand-dwelling

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We highly appreciate Drs Faiza Al-Yamani and Igor Polikarpov (Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait) help and support during this work. We also acknowledge the help of Mr Alok Nigam (Behbehani United General Trading Co., Microscopy Products, Kuwait) in providing the light microscopy service. The authors wish to thank G. Bilien and K. Chèze for their help with the molecular work. This study was partially supported by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research.