THE "HYSTRICHOSPHAERID" RESTING SPORE OF THE DINOFLAGELLATE PYRODINIUM BAHAMENSE, PLATF, 1906(2)
Journal of Phycology
|April 21, 2016
Summary
The microfossil Hemicystodinium zoharyi is identified as the resting spore of Pyrodinium bahamense, a bioluminescent dinoflagellate. This discovery traces the geological history of Pyrodinium bahamense to the Eocene epoch.
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Marine Biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Hemicystodinium zoharyi was previously known only as a microfossil.
- Pyrodinium bahamense is a modern, bioluminescent, thecate dinoflagellate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the modern organism corresponding to the microfossil Hemicystodinium zoharyi.
- To describe the morphology and life cycle of Pyrodinium bahamense.
- To investigate the geological history and evolutionary relationships of Pyrodinium.
Main Methods:
- Germination experiments on Hemicystodinium zoharyi.
- Morphological analysis of the spore and thecal structure of Pyrodinium bahamense.
- Ontogenetic studies of Pyrodinium bahamense.
Main Results:
- Germination experiments confirmed Hemicystodinium zoharyi as the resting spore of Pyrodinium bahamense.
- Detailed descriptions of spore morphology, thecal structure, and ontogeny of P. bahamense were provided.
- Pyrodinium was determined to be closely related to Gonyaulax but distinct enough to remain a separate genus.
Conclusions:
- The resting spore of Pyrodinium bahamense is Hemicystodinium zoharyi.
- The geological history of P. bahamense extends to the Eocene, evidenced by fossil spores.
- Extinct pyrodinioid dinoflagellates, such as Homotryblium, may have existed in Lower Tertiary seas.
