Gonyaulax
Genus of single-celled organisms From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gonyaulax is a genus of dinoflagellates with the type species Gonyaulax spinifera (Claparède et Lachmann) Diesing. Gonyaulax belongs to red dinoflagellates and commonly causes red tides. It can produce yesotoxins: for example, strains of Gonyaulax spinifera from New Zealand are yessotoxin producers.[4]
| Gonyaulax | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
| Clade: | Sar |
| Clade: | Alveolata |
| Phylum: | Myzozoa |
| Superclass: | Dinoflagellata |
| Class: | Dinophyceae |
| Order: | Gonyaulacales |
| Family: | Gonyaulacaceae |
| Genus: | Gonyaulax Diesing, 1866 |
| Species | |
Structure
The plate formula in the genus Gonyaulax Diesing was redefined as Po, 3', 2a, 6", 6c, 4-8s, 5'", 1p, 1"".[5]
Classification
All species are marine, except for one freshwater species, Gonyaulax apiculata.[5]
It previously included several species, which are now considered to belong to a separate genus, e.g.:[5]
- Gonyaulax tamarensis (now: Alexandrium tamarense)
- Gonyaulax grindleyi (now: Protoceratium reticulatum)
- Gonyaulax polyedra (now: Lingulodinium polyedra)
Adaptations
Gonyaulax dinoflagellates can produce resting cysts that belong to the cyst-defined genus Spiniferites and other genera [6]
Effect on humans
Although some Gonyaulax species can produce yessotoxins, which can accumulate in shellfish, no harmful effects to humans have been clearly demonstrated; however abalone mortalities have been related to blooms of Gonyaulax membranaceae.[7]
Red tide
A Red tide is a discoloration of the sea water by pigmented cells like Gonyaulax spp., some of which may produce toxins. Gonyaulax spinifera has been connected to the production of yessotoxins (YTXs), a group of structurally related polyether toxins, which can accumulate in shellfish.[8]
References
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