An investigation of heterotrophic and photoheterotrophic capabilities in marine Pyrrhophyta

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Abstract
The occurrence of heterotrophy and photoheterotrophy in 8 dinoflagellate strains was investigated. Peridinium foliaceum (isolate 129) was tested for heterotrophic growth on 54 organic substrates while 3 other organisms, Cachonina niei, a free-living isolate of Zooxanthella microadriatica and Amphidinium carterae, were tested on a more limited range of compounds. In addition, the capability for photoheterotrophic growth among the above organisms and Fragilidium heterolobum, Peridinium balticum, a 2nd isolate of P. foliaceum and a symbiotic Z. microadriatica was investigated using the conditions of dim light and DCMU [diuron] inhibited photosynthesis. No examples of heterotrophic growth were found, but the growth of 6 strains was stimulated by glycerol in both dim light and the presence of DCMU. In the presence of DCMU, soil extract stimulated growth in several strains. Soil extract did not support photoheterotrophic growth in any organism tested under dim light. N limited cultures of P. foliaceum (isolate 129) and the free-living Z. microadriatica were capable of using soil extract as a N source.