Gonyaulax

Gonyaulax
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: SAR
Clade: Alveolata
Phylum: Myzozoa
Superclass: Dinoflagellata
Class: Dinophyceae
Order: Gonyaulacales
Family: Gonyaulacaceae
Genus: Gonyaulax
Diesing, 1866
Species
Gonyaulax spinifera

Gonyaulax is a genus of dinoflagellates with the type species Gonyaulax spinifera (Claparède et Lachmann) Diesing. Gonyaulax belongs to red dinoflagellates and commonly causes red tides. It can produce yesotoxins: for example, strains of Gonyaulax spinifera from New Zealand are yessotoxin producers.[4]

Structure

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The plate formula in the genus Gonyaulax Diesing was redefined as Po, 3', 2a, 6", 6c, 4-8s, 5'", 1p, 1"".[5]

Classification

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All species are marine, except for one freshwater species, Gonyaulax apiculata.[5]

It previously included several species, which are now considered to belong to a separate genus, e.g.:[5]

Adaptations

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Gonyaulax dinoflagellates can produce resting cysts that belong to the cyst-defined genus Spiniferites and other genera [6]

Effect on humans

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Although some Gonyaulax species can produce yessotoxins, which can accumulate in shellfish, no harmful effects to humans have been clearly demonstrated; however abalone mortalities have been related to blooms of Gonyaulax membranaceae.[7]

Red tide

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A Red tide is a discoloration of the sea water by pigmented cells like Gonyaulax spp., some of which may produce toxins. Gonyaulax spinifera has been connected to the production of yessotoxins (YTXs), a group of structurally related polyether toxins, which can accumulate in shellfish.[8]

References

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  1. ^ syn. G. schuettii Lemmermann 1899 AQUASYMBIO: Gonyaulax polygramma
  2. ^ syn. Steiniella fragilis Schütt AQUASYMBIO: Gonyaulax fragilis
  3. ^ Mertens KN, Aydin H, Uzar S, Takano Y, Yamaguchi A, Matsuoka K (2015). "Relationship between the dinoflagellate cyst Spiniferites pachydermus and Gonyaulax ellegaardiae sp. nov. from Izmir Bay, Turkey, and molecular characterization". J. Phycol. 51 (3): 560–73. Bibcode:2015JPcgy..51..560M. doi:10.1111/jpy.12304. PMID 26986670. S2CID 24811284.
  4. ^ Rhodes, L.A.; McNabb, P.; de Salas, M.; Briggs, L.; Beuzenberg, V.; Gladstone, M. (2006). "Yessotoxin production by Gonyaulax spinifera". Harmful Algae. 5 (2): 148–55. doi:10.1016/j.hal.2005.06.008.
  5. ^ a b c Dodge, J.D. (1989). "Some revisions of the family Gonyaulacaceae (Dinophyceae) based on scanning electron microscope study". Botanica Marina. 32 (4): 275–298. doi:10.1515/botm.1989.32.4.275. S2CID 85674405.
  6. ^ Rochon, André; Lewis, Jane; Ellegaard, Marianne; Harding, Ian C. (2009-05-01). "The Gonyaulax spinifera (Dinophyceae) "complex": Perpetuating the paradox?". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 155 (1): 52–60. Bibcode:2009RPaPa.155...52R. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2008.12.017. ISSN 0034-6667.
  7. ^ Pitcher, Grant C.; Foord, Charles J.; Macey, Brett M.; Mansfield, Lisa; Mouton, Anna; Smith, Marie E.; Osmond, Steven J.; van der Molen, Lynndal (2019-01-01). "Devastating farmed abalone mortalities attributed to yessotoxin-producing dinoflagellates". Harmful Algae. 81: 30–41. doi:10.1016/j.hal.2018.11.006. ISSN 1568-9883. PMID 30638496. S2CID 58643225.
  8. ^ "Yessotoxin". toxins.hais.ioc-unesco.org. Retrieved 2024-04-08.