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A method of isolating clean and viable zooxanthellae by density gradient centrifugation
Author(s) -
Tytler E. M.,
Davies P. Spencer
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1983.28.6.1266
Subject(s) - zooxanthellae , percoll , density gradient , centrifugation , differential centrifugation , biology , dinoflagellate , ultracentrifuge , chemistry , chromatography , botany , biochemistry , symbiosis , bacteria , oceanography , genetics , geology
Attempts to prepare viable suspensions of zooxanthellae isolated from coelenterate hosts have been hampered by the large amounts of mucus secreted by the host tissues. A method is described which overcomes this by density gradient ultracentrifugation of the isolate, using the silica sol Percoll which forms its own density gradient during ultracentrifugation. Between 10 6 and 10 7 zooxanthellae can be isolated per gradient. Contamination is reduced to the occasional nematocyst or piece of animal cell debris. The zooxanthellae thus isolated are viable and appear to show normal respiration and photosynthesis.