Symbiodinium Gert Hansen & Daugbjerg, 2009

Holotype species: Symbiodinium natans Gert Hansen & Daugbjerg

Original publication and holotype designation: Hansen, G. & Daugbjerg, N. (2009). Symbiodinium natans sp. nov.: a "free-living" dinoflagellate from Tenerife (Northeast-Atlantic Ocean). Journal of Phycology 45: 251-265.

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Description: Single cells of the coccoid phase spherical to broadly ellipsoidal. Mean coccoid cell sizes range from 8 to 10 ?m. Nucleus contains ~ 78 to 98 condensed chromosomes. Phylogenetically basal genus, includes species ecologies ranging from symbiotic to opportunistic or free-living. Globally distributed, most species regionally endemic. Constitutively release UV-adsorbing mycosporine-like amino acids when in culture. Many grow in culture media. Dinoflagellates whose partial sequences of LSU rDNA (containing the variable domains D1/D2) vary in nucleotide differences by no more than 5% from that of S. microadriaticum [KM972549] are defined as members of this genus.

Information kindly contributed by T.C. LaJeunesse et al. (2018). but may now be outdated.

Taxonomic status: This name is currently regarded as a synonym of Zooxanthella.

Gender: This genus name is currently treated as neuter.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Guiry, M.D. & Andersen, R.A. (2018). Validation of the generic name Symbiodinium (Dinophyceae, Suessiaceae) revisited and the reinstatement of Zooxanthella K.Brandt. Notulae Algarum 58: 1-5, no figs.

Comments: Widely distributed mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. The "zooxanthellae" of invertebrates are contributing a large amount to the carbon fixation and to the nutrition of corals. Up to 6 mg fixed C per m2 per day have been reported.

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Contributors
Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in CD format. These AlgaeBase descriptions are now being continually updated, and each current contributor is identified above. The PSA and AlgaeBase warmly acknowledge the generosity of all past and present contributors and particularly the work of Dr Parker.

Descriptions of chrysophyte genera were subsequently published in J. Kristiansen & H.R. Preisig (eds.). 2001. Encyclopedia of Chrysophyte Genera. Bibliotheca Phycologica 110: 1-260.

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Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 09 October 2020. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 19 March 2024

 
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