Dactylodinium arachnoides sp. nov. (Borghiellaceae, Dinophyceae): a new marine dinoflagellate with a loop-shaped apical structure complex and tubular membranous extrusomes

ABSTRACT

The morphology and phylogeny of an enigmatic marine dinoflagellate were examined using LM, SEM, TEM, and molecular phylogeny inferred from rDNA. Cells were elliptical with a conical epicone and a hemispherical hypocone. They measured c. 24.7 µm long, with a cingulum descending approximately twice its own width. Amphiesmal vesicles were thick and transparent, and were supported by translucent ridges at the suture, which were distinctive and visible by light microscopy. A large peduncle extending to the anterior was accommodated in the anterior sulcal extension. A nucleus was usually located in the hypocone, and chloroplasts were distributed peripherally. The apical structure complex was loop-shaped, originating from the right side of the anterior sulcal extension and extending upward to encircle the dorsal side of the cell apex in an anticlockwise direction. TEM showed trichocysts with lateral hairs, a pyrenoid penetrated by cytoplasmic insertions containing tubules, and an eyespot comprising globules within the chloroplast. Cells also had tubular extrusomes, unique in dinoflagellates, composed of a membrane stacked in a vesicle, and formed a long membranous tube with 2–4 finger-like terminal branches after being released from the vesicle. Molecular phylogenies showed the affinity of the species to Dactylodinium pterobelotum in the family Borghiellaceae. We propose Dactylodinium arachnoides sp. nov. for the dinoflagellate described here. It shares the characteristic traits of amphiesmal vesicles, a peduncle, a pyrenoid, and trichocysts with D. pterobelotum, whereas the number of amphiesmal vesicles, the loop-shaped apical structure complex, eyespot type A, and tubular membranous extrusomes are distinct.

KEYWORDS:

• Amphiesmal vesicles
• Cyst
• Eyespot
• Peduncle
• Trichocyst

Acknowledgements

We appreciate Dr Shinji Shimode of Yokohama National University and Ms Shiori Otake of the University of Tokyo for their sampling assistance. Dr Kazutaka Takahashi of the University of Tokyo provided assistance, including maintenance of culture strains, molecular analysis, and EM preparation. Dr Fumiko Ishizuna of University of Tokyo provided assistance with TEM.

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Additional information

Funding

This work was partially supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI [Grant Numbers 25304029 and 15H04533 (MI)].