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297 - 304
- Zusammenfsg.
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The behaviour of gymnodinioid zooxanthellae of the genus Symbiodinium has been investigated in regular culture and in nitrogen/phosphorus-deprived medium by means of detailed light microscopy as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Some cultures are infested by epiphytic fungi that may seriously infect these dinoflagellates in vitro. Developmental stages of the fungal contaminant occur as sporangia and aplanospores, which are readily mistaken as coccoid stages of zooxanthellae, and as zoospores that are very likely misinterpreted as algal gametes. If observed by means of light microscopy only. The existence of true gametes, zygotes or meiotic products in the life history of Symbiodinium can not be confirmed. Based on three-dimensional analyses of cells and karyotypes employed after proliferation of mixed populations, generative or vegetative hybrids are formed neither among different species nor between subspecies, indicating asexual reproduction only. The life cycle of Symbiodinium as inferred from these data sheds light upon evolution and speciation in symbiotic dinoflagellates.
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