WoRMS taxon details
original description
Branco, S.; Oliveira, M. M.; Salgueiro, F.; Vilar, M. C.; Azevedo, S. M.; Menezes, M. (2020). Morphology and molecular phylogeny of a new PST-producing dinoflagellate species: <i>Alexandrium fragae</i> sp. nov. (Gonyaulacales, dinophyceae). <em>Harmful Algae.</em> 95: 101793., available online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2020.101793 [details] Available for editors [request]
From regional or thematic species database
Description Single cell; elliptical, ovate to spherical, often with a slightly pentagonal outline; 18.5–31.8 μm long, 16.8–25.6 μm wide. Cingular small lists along the sutures between cingular plates and both epithecal and hypothecal plates; sulcal lists along the sutures between sulcal and hypothecal plates. Theca surface with irregularly distributed pores; epitheca smooth, hypotheca reticulated. Plate formula Po, 4′, 6′’, 6c, 8 s, 5′’’ and 2′’’’. Apical pore complex obovate to elliptical; apical pore comma-shaped; anterior attachment pore not observed. Plate 1′ irregularly rhomboidal, with connection to apical pore complex. Ventral pore located on either anterior or posterior half of anterior right margin of plate 1′. Plate 6″ longer than wide or as long as wide. Plate s.a. longer than wide or as long as wide. Plate s.p. wider than long or as long as wide; posterior attachment pore not observed. Phototrophic. [details]
Harmful effect Alexandrium fragae produces GTX2, GTX3 and STX (Branco et al. 2020) [details]
Identification Slighty ellipsoidal temporary cysts have been reported. [details]
Identification Two Alexandrium species,A. insuetum Balech and A. balechii (Steidinger) Balech, also have thecal plates with reticulation similar to that of A. fragae. However, A. insuetum has the 1′ plate not connected to the APC and the reticulation covering the entire theca (Balech, 1995; Lilly et al., 2005), while A. balechii has the epitheca conical; the 1′ plate disconnected from the APC; and irregular crests or ridges, sometimes forming strong reticulation, on the hypotheca (Balech, 1995). Alexandrium fragae is similar to A. tamutum in the morphology of the first plate (1′), APC, anterior sulcal plate, and posterior sulcal plate. However, A. tamutum has the surface of the theca smooth, while in A. fragae the hypotheca is reticulated. [details]
Verified sequences Strain UFRJ-MN01 (Branco et al. 2020):
SSU rDNA KX097019
LSU rDNA KX097015
ITS rDNA KX097011 [details]
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