Amoebophyra Explained

Amoebophyra (or Amoebophrya) is a genus of dinoflagellates.[1] Amoebophyra is a syndinian parasite[2] that infects free-living dinoflagellates that are attributed to asingle 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 strains of Amoebophyra have been seen to infect different host species. Though research regarding the specificity of Amoebophyra is currently underway, the current hypothesis supported is that they range from non-host-specific to extremely host specific.[4] Over twenty dinoflagellate species have been reported to be infected by some strain of Amoebophyra.[5] It has proven to be difficult to determine whether or not a strain truly is host specific. Host specificity is confirmed not only through the strain's ability to infect various hosts, but their reproductive ability afterwards. If the Amoebophyra strain infects various hosts but is unable to successfully create following generations, then it would be considered host specific.[6] Amoebophyra is mostly known for its correlation with 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.

Infection process

During its lifespan, Amoebophyra alternates between a free-swimming asexual reproductive stage called the dinospore, and a multinuclear growth phase within the host called the trophont stage. A dinospore will attach to the host (biology) cell’s outer surface, then enter the cytosol. Most infections proceed within the nucleus, though some are confined to the cytoplasm.[7] Within ten minutes, the parasite arrives at the host’s nuclear envelope and significantly increases in size during the next twenty-four hours.[8] Hosts infected by certain strains of Amoebophyra such as Amoebophyra ceratii are unable to 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]

Notes and References

  1. 14641584. 2003. Salomon . P. S.. Janson. Granéli. Multiple species of the dinophagous dinoflagellate genus Amoebophrya infect the same host species. 5. 11. 1046–1052. Environmental Microbiology. 10.1046/j.1462-2920.2003.00511.x . S. . E..
  2. Miller. John J.. Delwiche. Charles F.. Coats. D. Wayne. Ultrastructure of Amoebophrya sp. and its Changes during the Course of Infection. Protist . September 2012. 163. 5. 720–745. 10.1016/j.protis.2011.11.007. 22209083.
  3. Sunjun. Kim. Patterns in host range for two strains of Amoebophrya (Dinophyta) infecting thecate dinoflagellates: Amoebophyra spp. ex Alexandrium affine and ex Gonyaulax polygramma. Biosis . 2006-12-23. 42. 6. 1170–1173. 10.1111/j.1529-8817.2006.00277.x. 84697048.
  4. Sunju. Kim. Park. Myung Gil. Kim. Keun-Yong. Kim. Chang-Hoon. Yih. Wonho. Park. Jong Soo. Coats. D. Wayne. Genetic Diversity of Parasitic Dinoflagellates in the Genus Amoebophrya and Its Relationship to Parasite Biology and Biogeography. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology . Jan 2008. 55. 1. 1–8. 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2007.00295.x. 18251796. free.
  5. Yih. W. Coats. DW. Infection of Gymnodinium sanguineum by the Dinoflagellate Amoebophrya sp.: Effect of Nutrient Environment on Parasite Generation Time, Reproduction, and Infectivity. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology . September 2000. 47. 5. 504–510. 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2000.tb00082.x. 11001148. 27962913.
  6. Sunju. Kim. Park. Myung Gil. Kim. Keun-Yong. Kim. Chang-Hoon. Yih. Wonho. Park. Jong Soo. Coats. D. Wayne. Genetic Diversity of Parasitic Dinoflagellates in the Genus Amoebophrya and Its Relationship to Parasite Biology and Biogeography. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology . Jan 2008. 55. 1. 1–8. 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2007.00295.x. 18251796. free.
  7. Velo-Suárez. Lourdes. Brosnahan. Michael L.. Anderson. Donald M.. McGillicuddy, Jr.. Dennis J.. A Quantitative Assessment of the Role of the Parasite Amoebophrya in the Termination of Alexandrium fundyense Blooms within a Small Coastal Embayment. PLOS ONE . Dec 2013. 8 . 12. 10.1371/journal.pone.0081150. e81150. 24324668. 3852033. free.
  8. Sunju. Kim. Park. Myung Gil. Kim. Keun-Yong. Kim. Chang-Hoon. Yih. Wonho. Park. Jong Soo. Coats. D. Wayne. Genetic Diversity of Parasitic Dinoflagellates in the Genus Amoebophrya and Its Relationship to Parasite Biology and Biogeography. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology . Jan 2008. 55. 1. 1–8. 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2007.00295.x. 18251796. free.
  9. Yih. Wonho. Coats. D. Wayne. Infection of Gymnodinium sanguineum by the Dinoflagellate Amoebophrya sp.: Effect of Nutrient Environment on Parasite Generation Time, Reproduction, and Infectivity. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology. 45. 5. 504–510. 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2000.tb00082.x. 2000. 11001148. 27962913.
  10. Yih. W. Coats. DW. Infection of Gymnodinium sanguineum by the Dinoflagellate Amoebophrya sp.: Effect of Nutrient Environment on Parasite Generation Time, Reproduction, and Infectivity. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology . September 2000. 47. 5. 504–510. 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2000.tb00082.x. 11001148. 27962913.
  11. Yih. Wonho. Coats. D. Wayne. Infection of Gymnodinium sanguineum by the Dinoflagellate Amoebophrya sp.: Effect of Nutrient Environment on Parasite Generation Time, Reproduction, and Infectivity. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology. 45. 5. 504–510. 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2000.tb00082.x. 2000. 11001148. 27962913.

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