Morphology and rDNA phylogeny of a Mediterranean <em>Coolia monotis</em> (Dinophyceae) strain from Greece

Abstract

SUMMARY: Sequences of LSU and SSU ribosomal RNA genes and phylogeny have not been widely investigated for the dinoflagellate Coolia monotis Meunier, and no information is available on the small and large rDNA subunits of Mediterranean strains. A strain isolated from the Thermaikos Gulf in northern Greece was identified as C. monotis-a new record for the Greek algal flora-using thecal morphology by light, epifluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. The small subunit and partial (D1/D2) large subunit sequences were analyzed and compared to other strains of C. monotis and dinoflagellates from various regions. Thecal architecture showed that the Greek strain of C. monotis was phenotypically similar, but not identical, to other strains reported in literature. The partial LSU sequence (700 bp) was found to vary by 113 bp positions (16%) from the C. monotis strain from New Zealand, whereas the SSU (1757 bp) had 15 bp differences (0.85%) from the strain from Norway. Phylogenetic tree construction showed that the Greek strain fell within the Coolia clade and had a close relationship with the families Ostreopsidaceae and Goniodomaceae of the order Gonyaulacales. Preliminary findings suggest the existence of different genotype strains of C. monotis with large intraspecific genetic variability and minimal morphological differentiation (similar phenotypes). Certain ecological and evolutionary implications of these findings are discussed.Keywords: Coolia monotis, Greece, microscopy, rDNA, taxonomy, phylogeny. RESUMEN: MORFOLOGÍA Y FILOGENIA DEL RDNA DE UNA SUBESPECIE MEDITERRÁNEA DE COOLIA MONOTIS (DINOPHYCEAE) DE GRECIA. -Las secuencias de los genes del RNA de las subunidades ribosomales grandes y pequeñas (LSU y SSU, respectivamente) y la filogenia del dinoflagelado Coolia monotis Meunier han sido poco investigadas, y no hay información disponible sobre los genes LSU y SSU de subespecies mediterráneas. Una subespecie aislada del golfo de Thermaikos en el norte de Grecia fue identificada como C. monotis -una nueva aportación a la flora algal griega-por medio de la morfología de la teca observada a través de microscopía óptica, de epifluorescia y electrónica. Las secuencias correspondientes a la subunidad pequeña y a la parte (D1/D2) de la subunidad grande fueron analizadas y comparadas a las de otras subespecies de C. monotis y otras especies de dinoflagelados de diversas regiones. La arquitectura de la teca mostró que la subespecie griega de C. monotis era fenotípicamente similar, pero no idéntica, a otras subespecies registradas en la literatura. Se encontró que la secuencia parcial de la LSU (700 pares de bases o bp) difería de la de C. monotis de Nueva Zelanda en las posiciones de 113 bp (16%), mientras que la SSU (1757 bp) se diferenciaba en 15 bp (0.85%) de la subespecie de Noruega. La construcción del árbol filogenetico demostró que la subespecie griega se situaba dentro de la rama de Coolia y presentaba una relación cercana con las familias Ostreopsidaceae y Goniodomaceae del orden Gonyaulacales. Resultados pre...

Morphological and genetic characterization of benthic dinoflagellates of the generaCoolia,OstreopsisandProrocentrumfrom the south-eastern Bay of Biscay

“…The tabulation pattern of C. canariensis is very similar to that of C. areolata, but thecal ornamentation allows differentiation of the two species. Cell sizes of C. monotis strains fall within published values (Penna et al, 2005;Dolapsakis et al, 2006). The strains have morphological features similar to previous descriptions of the species, although with some differences from Meunier's (1919) original description and other later descriptions, especially regarding some plates of the epitheca.…”

“…The strains have morphological features similar to previous descriptions of the species, although with some differences from Meunier's (1919) original description and other later descriptions, especially regarding some plates of the epitheca. Plates 6 00 and 5 00 are elongated in the original description and the suture between them runs in a nearly dorso-ventral direction, while in our strains it runs to the right side, resulting in a wider, not elongated 6 00 plate and a smaller 5 00 , similar to other later descriptions (Fukuyo, 1981;Penna et al, 2005;Dolapsakis et al, 2006). Differences are also found in plates 1 00 and 2 00 .…”

“…In the original description those plates are of similar size, while in some of our strains plate 2 00 is double the size of 1 00 , wider and slightly longer, similar to the Greek strain in Dolapsakis et al (2006). Additionally, strains with a narrow plate 1 0 , similar to that described by Dolapsakis et al (2006) (Fig. 50); 5 mm (Fig.…”

The Diversity of Coolia spp. (Dinophyceae Ostreopsidaceae) in the Central Great Barrier Reef Region

“…Coolia monotis has a width/length ratio of around 1 for this plate, for C. areolata and C. canariensis the value is around 2 and around 4 for C. tropicalis [11]. In the closely related C. monotis , C. malayensis , and NQAIF103, the 4' plate is narrow and elongated and is not the largest plate of the epitheca, while the 6'' plate is short, with a low width to length ratio [17,37,39]. In C. tropicalis (NQAIF90), C. canariensis and C. areolata the 4' plate is beret-shaped and occupies most of the epitheca, while the 6'' plate is larger and with a higher width to length ratio than in other species [14,31].…”

Screening for marine nanoplanktic microalgae from Greek coastal lagoons (Ionian Sea) for use in mariculture

“…The sampled water was transferred to the laboratory, enriched with Conway medium (Walne 1966), and kept under culture conditions as described in Dolapsakis et al (2005). After microalgal populations flourished, different nanoplanktic species were isolated by micropipette as described in Dolapsakis et al (2006). After the cultures were confirmed as monospecific, the strains were examined for morphological characteristics under the microscope and were identified to genus level using keys of Thomas (1997) and others (Bellinger 1992;Ettl and Gartner 1988;Starmach, 1985).…”