Amoebophyra
| Amoebophyra | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | Alveolata |
| Phylum: | Dinoflagellata |
| Class: | Syndiniophyceae |
| Order: | Syndiniales (Coccidiniales)
|
| Family: | Amoebophyraceae |
| Genus: | Amoebophyra |
Amoebophyra (or Amoebophrya) is a genus of dinoflagellates.[1] Amoebophyra is a
dinoflagellates
that are attributed to a
single species by using several host-specific parasites.[3]
It acts as "biological control agents for red tides and in defining species of Amoebophrya." Researchers have found a correlation between a large amount of host specify and the impact host parasites may have on other organisms. Due to the host specificity found in each strain of Amoebophrya's physical makeup, further studies need to be tested to determine whether the Amoebophrya can act as a control against harmful algal blooms.
Amoebophyra strains
Different
harmful algal blooms (HABs). Abundance of certain strains have been linked to the decline of some HABs in marine life
, while others have been found to cause it.
The ability of Amoebophrya to significantly reduce the population of HAB-forming dinoflagellates through predation is an essential aspect of its natural history and its contribution to marine ecosystems.
- Amoebophrya sp. ex Karlodinium veneficum
- Amoebophrya sp. ex Prorocentrum minimum
- Amoebophrya sp. ex Dinophysis norvengica
- Amoebophrya sp. ex Gonyaulax polygramma
- Amoebophyra sp. ex Akashiwo sanguinea
- Amoebophyra sp. ex Dinophysis norvegica
- Amoebophyra sp. ex Alexandrium affine
- Amoebophyra sp ex. Ceratium tripos
- Amoebophyra sp. ex Prorocentrum micans
- Amoebophyra sp ex. Ceratium lineatum
- Amoebophyra sp. ex Scrippsiella sp.
- Amoebophyra sp. ex Ceratium tripos
Infection Process
During its lifespan, Amoebophyra alternates between a free-swimming asexual reproductive stage called the
reproduce before the parasite completes its life cycle and kills the host.[9] It will continue to increase in size through nuclear divisions without the need for cytokinesis, resulting in a beehive-like appearance within the host. After killing the host, Amoebophyra grows to become mobile and wormlike, but soon separates into dinospores. These new dinospores then have a short period of time in which to find new hosts, as their survival time in water is meager.[10] The aquatic environment can greatly affect the success of Amoebophyra, as a nutrient environment can influence its reproductive ability as well as its offspring’s infectivity.[11]