Blastodinium

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Classification

Higher Order Taxa

Domain:Eukaryota; Phylum:Dinoflagellata; Class:Blastodiniphyceae; Order:Blastodiniales; Family:Blastodinidae; Genus:Blastodinium

Genus

Blastodinium

Description and Significance

This genus contains cryptic species. All species in this genus have very similar morphological features, only differing slightly in their genomes. These species are obligate parasites, in which they must live inside a host in order to complete their life cycles. This genus will inhabit the gut of marine copepods, a group of small crustaceans typically 1-2mm in length. These parasites can grow to be a few hundred μm in length while inside the host.

These parasites are found in habits occupied by their copepods hosts-across the globe. However, these parasites are found in greater abundances in low nutrient, oligotrophic marine waters closer to the equator. The parasites found in this habitat have a greater chance of possessing chloroplasts, however, those found in colder waters near the poles of the planet are often found having no chloroplasts.

Life Cycle

The complete life cycle of species in the genus Blastodinium is unknown due to lack of experimental research. The life cycle stages during and after parasitism are known, however. This stage of the life cycle consists of the dinospore of the organism being ingested by the host and it becoming lodged in the copepod's gut. This dinospore grows into a trophocyte while inside the host. The trophocyte then divides into a secondary trophocyte and a gonocyte. The seconary trophocyte can divide into succeeding trophocytes and gonocytes, while the gonocyte will form sporocytes. Through dispersal mechanisms, the sporocytes release spores from the host, resulting in spores able to be ingested by more hosts.

Cell Structure and Metabolism

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Author

Page authored by _____, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at IndianaUniversity.