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ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE DINOFLAGELLATE PERIDINIUM CINCTUM F. OVOPLANUM. II. LIGHT AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS ON FERTILIZATION
Author(s) -
Spector D. L.,
Pfiester L. A.,
Triemer R. E.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1981.tb06353.x
Subject(s) - biology , gamete , ultrastructure , human fertilization , botany , reticulate , electron microscope , homothallism , pollen tube , dinoflagellate , biophysics , anatomy , mating type , pollen , genetics , pollination , optics , physics , gene
Fertilization in Peridinium cinctum f. ovoplamtm has been investigated at both the light and electron microscopic levels. Gamete formation occurs when vegetative cells are placed into nitrogen deficient media. The majority of gametes observed possess thin thecal plates; however, some are naked. Gametes have few chloroplasts as compared to vegetative cells, numerous membrane bounded storage bodies, many starch grains, and chromosomes which appear slightly unwound. Gamete fusion is observed to peak 7–10 days after inoculation into nitrogen deficient media. Fusion occurs in an area of the sulcus devoid of reticulate thecal plates at or adjacent to the flagellar pores. A fertilization tube is formed and proceeds to widen along the sulcus. Karyogamy occurs within the fertilization tube before plasmogamy is completed. The resulting planozygote is a two walled structure containing two longitudinal flagella. It enlarges over a 2‐week period giving rise to the hypnozygote.