Alexandrium fundyense NEU2011: Difference between revisions

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==Classification==
==Classification==
Eukaryota (Domain); Dinoflagellata (Phylum); Dinophyceae (Class); Peridiniphycidae (Subclass) Gonyaulacales (Order); Gonyaulacaceae (Family); Alexandrium (Genus) <ref>Alexandrium fundyense Balech  (1996-2001). Retrieved 20 February 2011 from Algaebase official site http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=40289.</ref>
Eukaryota (Domain); Dinoflagellata (Phylum); Dinophyceae (Class); Peridiniphycidae (Subclass) Gonyaulacales (Order); Gonyaulacaceae (Family); Alexandrium (Genus) (1)


==Description and significance==
==Description and significance==
Alexandrium fundyense is a photosynthetic marine dinoflagellate that lives
Alexandrium fundyense is a photosynthetic marine dinoflagellate that lives
in the upper water column (photic-zone) of coastal waters (1). It is a part of the
in the upper water column (photic-zone) of coastal waters (3). It is a part of the
Thecate group or “armored dinoflagellates”, meaning it has thecal plates made of
Thecate group or “armored dinoflagellates”, meaning it has thecal plates made of
cellulose) surrounding the cell like armor (2). Like all dinoflagellates it has two
cellulose) surrounding the cell like armor (3). Like all dinoflagellates it has two
flagella. One is the transverse flagellum, which wraps around the cell in a groove
flagella. One is the transverse flagellum, which wraps around the cell in a groove
in the thecal plates and provides propulsion and a spinning motion. The other is a
in the thecal plates and provides propulsion and a spinning motion. The other is a
longitudinal flagellum that extends from the posterior end of the cell and acts as
longitudinal flagellum that extends from the posterior end of the cell and acts as
a steering system (1). Alexandrium fundyense is a very significant microbe on the
a steering system (3). Alexandrium fundyense is a very significant microbe on the
eastern seaboard as it causes yearly Red tide events when there are high nutrients
eastern seaboard as it causes yearly Red tide events when there are high nutrients
and low grazing pressures in the coastal waters (3). These large coastal blooms of
and low grazing pressures in the coastal waters (4). These large coastal blooms of
A. fundyense cause problems because they produce a neuromuscular toxin called
A. fundyense cause problems because they produce a neuromuscular toxin called
a saxitoxin, which accumulates up the food chain and concentrates in the tissue of
a saxitoxin, which accumulates up the food chain and concentrates in the tissue of
filter-feeding shellfish and fish. The consumption of these toxic shellfish by humans
filter-feeding shellfish and fish. The consumption of these toxic shellfish by humans
can lead to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), which can be fatal (3). It also leads
can lead to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), which can be fatal (4). It also leads
to the shut down of coastal fishing in affected areas, which has large economic
to the shut down of coastal fishing in affected areas, which has large economic
consequences for the fishing industry in those areas (3).
consequences for the fishing industry in those areas (4).


==Genome Structure==
==Genome Structure==
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
(1)Alexandrium fundyense Balech  (1996-2001). Retrieved 20 February 2011 from Algaebase official site http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=40289. (2)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinoflagellate(3)http://www.eol.org/pages/910093(4)Bruce A. Keafer, James H. Churchill, Dennis J. McGillicuddy, Donald M. Anderson.
2005. Bloom development and transport of toxic Alexandrium fundyense
populations within a coastal plume in the Gulf of Maine. Deep-Sea Research
Part II. 52: 2674-2697

Revision as of 03:46, 22 February 2011

Contents [hide] thumb| |300px| |center| 1 Introduction 2 Section 1 3 Section 2 4 Section 3 5 Conclusion 6 References Introduction

Alexandrium fundyense

Classification

Eukaryota (Domain); Dinoflagellata (Phylum); Dinophyceae (Class); Peridiniphycidae (Subclass) Gonyaulacales (Order); Gonyaulacaceae (Family); Alexandrium (Genus) (1)

Description and significance

Alexandrium fundyense is a photosynthetic marine dinoflagellate that lives in the upper water column (photic-zone) of coastal waters (3). It is a part of the Thecate group or “armored dinoflagellates”, meaning it has thecal plates made of cellulose) surrounding the cell like armor (3). Like all dinoflagellates it has two flagella. One is the transverse flagellum, which wraps around the cell in a groove in the thecal plates and provides propulsion and a spinning motion. The other is a longitudinal flagellum that extends from the posterior end of the cell and acts as a steering system (3). Alexandrium fundyense is a very significant microbe on the eastern seaboard as it causes yearly Red tide events when there are high nutrients and low grazing pressures in the coastal waters (4). These large coastal blooms of A. fundyense cause problems because they produce a neuromuscular toxin called a saxitoxin, which accumulates up the food chain and concentrates in the tissue of filter-feeding shellfish and fish. The consumption of these toxic shellfish by humans can lead to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), which can be fatal (4). It also leads to the shut down of coastal fishing in affected areas, which has large economic consequences for the fishing industry in those areas (4).

Genome Structure

The complete genome of Alexandrium fundyense has been sequenced (boldsystems.org) and it has been found that A. fundyense has highly redundant nuclear genes (Erdner and Anderson 2006). DNA sequencing is the most frequently used and most reliable method for distinguishing different species of the Alexandrium genus. There is evidence of very little transcriptional regulation (Erdner and Anderson 2006) and the mitochondrial mRNA is subject to editing (Zhang and Lin 2005).

Cell structure and metabolism

Ecology

Pathology

Current Research

Cool Fact

References

(1)Alexandrium fundyense Balech (1996-2001). Retrieved 20 February 2011 from Algaebase official site http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=40289. (2)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinoflagellate(3)http://www.eol.org/pages/910093(4)Bruce A. Keafer, James H. Churchill, Dennis J. McGillicuddy, Donald M. Anderson. 2005. Bloom development and transport of toxic Alexandrium fundyense populations within a coastal plume in the Gulf of Maine. Deep-Sea Research Part II. 52: 2674-2697