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Development of the Insect Pathogenic Alga Helicosporidium
Author(s) -
BLÄSKELIETZE VERENAULRIKE,
SHAPIRO ALEXANDRA M.,
DENTON JOHN S.,
BOTTS MICHAEL,
BECNEL JAMES J.,
BOUCIAS DRION G.
Publication year - 2006
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.1550-7408.2006.00090.x
Subject(s) - biology , exigua , morphogenesis , hemolymph , botany , cell division , vegetative reproduction , ultrastructure , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , spodoptera , genetics , gene , recombinant dna
. This study examined the morphogenesis and replication dynamics of the different life stages (cysts, filamentous cells, vegetative cells) of Helicosporidium sp., a non‐photosynthetic, entomopathogenic alga. The isolate (SjHe) used originated from an infected black fly larva. Filamentous cell transformation into vegetative cells and autosporulation during vegetative cell replication were observed under controlled in vitro conditions. The transformation process was initiated by a partial swelling of the filamentous cell along with the reorganization of the nuclear material. Two subsequent nuclear and cell divisions resulted in the release of 4 rod‐shaped daughter cells, which divided into oval to spherical vegetative cells. These underwent several cycles of autosporogenic cell division. Multiple‐passaged vegetative cell cultures formed non‐motile, adherent cell clusters (palmelloid colonies). Vegetative replication dynamics were also observed in 2 experimental noctuid hosts, Spodoptera exigua and Helicoverpa zea . The average density of helicosporidial cells produced per microliter hemolymph exceeded cell concentrations obtained in vitro by 15‐ and 46‐fold in S. exigua and H. zea , respectively. Cyst morphogenesis was only observed in the hemolymph, whereas no cysts differentiated at various in vitro conditions.