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Various life cycle stages of cyst-producing dinoflagellates often appear differently colored under the microscope; gametes appear paler while zygotes are darker in comparison to vegetative cells. To compare physiological and photochemical competency, the pigment composition of discrete life cycle stages was determined for the common resting cyst-producing dinoflagellate Scrippsiella lachrymosa. Vegetative cells had the highest cellular pigment content (25.2 ± 0.5 pg · cell−1), whereas gamete pigment content was 22% lower. The pigment content of zygotes was 82% lower than vegetative cells, even though they appeared darker under the microscope. Zygotes of S. lachrymosa contained significantly higher cellular concentrations of β-carotene (0.65 ± 0.15 pg · cell−1) than all other life stages. Photoprotective pigments and the de-epoxidation ratio of xanthophylls-cycle pigments in S. lachrymosa were significantly elevated in zygotes and cysts compared to other stages. This suggests a role for accessory pigments in combating intracellular oxidative stress during sexual reproduction or encystment. Resting cysts contained some pigments even though chloroplasts were not visible, suggesting that the brightly colored accumulation body contained photosynthetic pigments. The differences in pigmentation between life stages have implications for interpretation of pigment data from field samples when sampled during dinoflagellate blooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two mesocosm experiments were conducted to study the interaction of a commercial oyster-nursery system with the surrounding embayment, specifically, nutrient and plankton dynamics. The nursery was stocked with 80-200 L of oysters, sized 3-5 mm. Ambient water and the water passed through the oyster nursery were incubated in mesocosms, and nutrients and plankton were monitored over the course of 27-h incubations. The first experiment conducted in July 2009 captured a phytoplankton community dominated by Peridinium quinquecorne, a rare dinoflagellate not previously reported in the northeastern USA. Dissolved nitrogen compounds in all mesocosms were depleted within the first 6 h. The second experiment was conducted in September 2009, when a more typical and diverse phytoplankton community was present. Unlike the first experiment, Nitrate plus nitrite in the mesocosms was not depleted. Both experiments indicated little difference between the water passed through the oyster nursery and the ambient water in terms of subsequent nutrient and plankton dynamics, indicating little 'legacy effect' of the oyster nursery upon nutrients and plankton in this embayment. This conclusion was reached under the specific operating conditions typical for this nursery system, as chosen by the commercial partner in the study; changes in oyster stocking or flow rate are likely to change the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Different life stages of Alexandrium fundyense have different swimming behavior; gametes often are said to “swarm” or “dance” before mating. This behavior was studied, and quantitative measures of these motility patterns in two-dimensions were generated using motion-analysis software applied to video records of individual-cell movements. Behavior, swimming patterns, and growth were studied in two strains of A. fundyense and compared in encystment medium and growth medium. Vegetative cells swam straight, rotating around the apical axis until they hit something and then swam straight in a different direction. Gamete swimming behavior was slower and characterized by frequent direction changes and circular motion. Gametes contacted other cells frequently (>5cellcontactsmin−1 cell−1). Zygotes swam slowly when newly formed and later became nearly immobile; these cells continued to contact other cells and also surfaces. The results are in accordance with field observations of long swimming distances for vegetative cells, accumulation in thin layers of gametes, and sinking of developing resting cysts attached to marine snow for zygotes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Different life stages of two mating-compatible clones of the paralytic shellfish toxin (PST)-producing dinoflagellate Alexandrium fundyense Balech were separated using a combination of techniques; culturing and sampling methods were used to separate vegetative cells and gametes, and sorting flow cytometry was used to separate zygotes. PST profiles were significantly different between life stages; the two gonyautoxins GTX1 and 2 were present in vegetative and senescent cells, but disappeared from gametes and zygotes. Toxin-profile changes were shown to occur very quickly in both strains when pellicle cyst formation was induced by shaking (four minutes) followed by rinsing on a screen. These pellicle cysts produced from exponentially-growing, vegetative cells lost GTX1 and 2 completely. Rapid toxin epimerization of GTX1 to GTX4 and GTX2 to GTX3 is one possible explanation, although the biological advantage of this remains unclear. Another possible explanation is that during the mating phase of a bloom or when cells are disturbed, GTX1 and GTX2 are released into the surrounding water. It may be advantageous for a dinoflagellate bloom to be surrounded by free toxins in the water. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: For some species of cyst-producing dinoflagellates, the sexual life cycle is well studied in laboratory cultures. Dinoflagellate blooms in stratified waters, vertical migration of vegetative cells, and the accumulation of populations within thin layers are well-documented phenomena in nature. We propose a conceptual model that places these phenomena in a functional, ecological context: vegetative cells of a dinoflagellate population display vertical migration, but at the end of the bloom, environmental or internal cues shift the cell cycle to gamete formation. Then the vertical migrations cease, and cells accumulate in a layer at the pycnocline where gametes fuse to form zygotes, which then sink to the sediment as resting cysts. We support this conceptual model with experimental and environmental evidence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]