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Influence of mixed host populations on success of the parasitic dinoflagellate Amoebophrya
Author(s) -
Armstrong T.N.,
Felton C.,
Coats D. W.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1111/j.0022-3646.2003.03906001_2.x
Subject(s) - dinoflagellate , biology , parasitism , host (biology) , parasite hosting , alexandrium tamarense , chesapeake bay , ecology , botany , algal bloom , phytoplankton , nutrient , estuary , world wide web , computer science
Parasitic dinoflagellates of the genus Amoebophrya commonly infect bloom‐forming dinoflagellates of Chesapeake Bay, including Akashiwo sanguinea and Karlodinium micrum . While different strains of Amoebophrya appear host specific, infective dinospores liberated from A. sanguinea do enter the cytoplasm of K. micrum , but fail to complete the infection cycle. Thus, in mixed‐species dinoflagellate blooms, interference from inappropriate hosts may influence the success of Amoebophrya spp. To explore that possibility, we conducted laboratory studies to examine the effect of the toxic dinoflagellate K. micrum on success of Amoebophrya from A. sanguinea . Treatments consisted of A. sanguinea (1000/mL) plus corresponding dinospores (10,000/mL) in the presence of different K. micrum densities (0 to 100,000/mL). We also examined whether changes in parasite success were due to interaction with K. micrum cells, or from indirect effects of bacteria or dissolved substances present in K. micrum cultures. Success of Amoebophrya was unaffected by low densities of K. micrum , but decreased at high concentrations of K. micrum . Reduced parasite success appeared to result from combined effects of non‐host cells and dissolved substances in K. micrum media. Results suggest that parasitism of A. sanguinea in Chesapeake Bay would be reduced when K. micrum is a major component of mixed‐species blooms.