IDENTIFICATION OF THE RESTING CYST OF COCHLODINIUM POLYKRIKOIDES MARGALEF (DINOPHYCEAE, GYMNODINIALES) IN KOREAN COASTAL SEDIMENTS

Abstract

This study provides the first morphological features of resting cysts of Cochlodinium polykrikoides collected from Korean coastal sediments. Evidence for the existence of resting cysts of C. polykrikoides is based on the morphological and molecular phylogenetic data of the germinated cells and a resting cyst. The morphology of the resting cysts differed from that reported previously in sediments and culture experiments. The distinct feature is that the cyst body was covered by the reticulate ornaments and spines.