Evidence for a Sexual Cycle in the Florida Red Tide Dinoflagellate, Ptychodiscus brevis (=Gymnodinium breve)

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Abstract
Sexual stages (gametes, planozygotes) were observed in non-clonal strains of P. brevis stock cultures. Sexual states were induced repeatedly in nonclonal isolates and crosses of 6 different isolates using N-deficient NH-15 medium, blue or green light, and/or lowered temperatures. Sexual stages were observed in field populations during Florida [USA] red tides. So far, hypnozygotic cysts have not been confirmed in laboratory cultures or field populations, although possible cysts have been observed during cold temperature experiments, initial experiments with multiple crosses and during continuous 24-h sampling during a red tide cruise in Jan. 1980.