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Phagotrophic Mechanisms and Prey Selection in Free‐living Dinoflagellates 1
Author(s) -
HANSEN PER JUEL,
CALADO ANTÓNIO J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of eukaryotic microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 1066-5234
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1999.tb04617.x
Subject(s) - dinoflagellate , biology , predation , gymnodinium , mixotroph , zoology , ecology , protist , heterotroph , phytoplankton , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics , nutrient , gene
Three types of feeding mechanisms are known in dinoflagellates: pallium feeding, tube feeding, and direct engulfment. Pallium feeding has only been described for heterotrophic thecate species ( Protoperidinium, Diplopsalis group). Tube feeding is commonly found among both naked and thecate species of mixotrophic and heterotrophic dinoflagellates (e.g. Amphidinium, Dinophysis, Gyrodinium, Peridiniopsis ). Direct engulfment is mainly found among naked species (e.g. Gymnodinium, Gyrodinium, Noctiluca ): recently, however, some thecate species have been shown to use this feeding mechanism as well. Feeding behavior in dinoflagellates involves several steps prior to actual ingestion, including precapture, capture, and prey manipulation. As feeding mechanisms allow the ingestion of relatively large prey or parts thereof, dinoflagellates are regarded as raptorial feeders. While prey size plays an important role in the ability of dinoflagellates to ingest food, this alone cannot explain observed prey preferences. Some dinoflagellate species can be very selective in their choice of prey, while others show a remarkable versatility.