Control of toxic marine dinoflagellate blooms by serial parasitic killers
Chambouvet, A.; Morin, P.; Marie, D.; Guillou, L. (2008). Control of toxic marine dinoflagellate blooms by serial parasitic killers. Science (Wash.) 322(5905): 1254-1257
In: Science (Washington). American Association for the Advancement of Science: New York, N.Y. ISSN 0036-8075; e-ISSN 1095-9203, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Chambouvet, A.
- Morin, P.
- Marie, D.
- Guillou, L.
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| Abstract |
The marine dinoflagellates commonly responsible for toxic red tides are parasitized by other dinoflagellate species. Using culture-independent environmental ribosomal RNA sequences and fluorescence markers, we identified host-specific infections among several species. Each parasitoid produces 60 to 400 offspring, leading to extraordinarily rapid control of the host's population. During 3 consecutive years of observation in a natural estuary, all dinoflagellates observed were chronically infected, and a given host species was infected by a single genetically distinct parasite year after year. Our observations in natural ecosystems suggest that although bloom-forming dinoflagellates may escape control by grazing organisms, they eventually succumb to parasite attack. |
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