Morphology, Ultrastructure, and Small Subunit rDNA Phylogeny of the Marine Heterotrophic Flagellate Goniomonas aff. amphinema

• Published in: The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology Vol. 57; no. 2; pp. 159 - 170
• Main Authors: MARTIN-CERECEDA, MERCEDES, ROBERTS, EMILY C, WOOTTON, EMMA C, BONACCORSO, ELISA, DYAL, PATRICIA, GUINEA, ALMUDENA, ROGERS, DALE, WRIGHT, CHRIS J, NOVARINO, GIANFRANCO
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Malden, USA : Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.03.2010; Blackwell Publishing Inc
• Subjects: Amphinema; Cluster Analysis; Cryptophyta - classification; Cryptophyta - cytology; Cryptophyta - genetics; Cryptophyta - isolation & purification; Cytopharynx; DNA, Algal - chemistry; DNA, Algal - genetics; DNA, Ribosomal - chemistry; DNA, Ribosomal - genetics; ejectisome secretions; Feeding Behavior; FITC-labelled lectins; Genes, rRNA; genetic diversity; genetic variation; Goniomonas; Lectins - metabolism; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Microscopy, Confocal; Microscopy, Electron; Microscopy, Video; Phylogeny; Protein Binding; RNA, Algal - genetics; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S - genetics; Seawater - parasitology; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; tubulin; Wales; Wheat Germ Agglutinins - metabolism; Wales; British Isles, Wales
• ISSN: 1066-5234; 1550-7408
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2009.00449.x

Marine goniomonads have a worldwide distribution but ultrastructural information has not been available so far. An isolate of the heterotrophic marine nanoflagellate Goniomonas (G. aff. amphinema) from North Wales (UK) has been studied, providing information on its morphology and cellular structure using video, electron, laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), and atomic force microscopy. Here, we describe a new feature, a granular area, potentially involved in particle capture and feeding. The binding of the lectin wheat germ agglutinin to the granular area of cells with discharged ejectisomes indicates the adhesive nature of this novel feature. The presence of a microtubular intracellular cytopharynx, apparently also used for feeding, has been revealed by LSCM. The small subunit rRNA gene of the isolate has been sequenced (1,788 bp). Phylogenetic results corroborate significant genetic divergence within the marine members of Goniomonas. This work highlights the need for integrated morphological, ultrastructural, and molecular investigation when describing and studying heterotrophic nanoflagellates.