1999/07/01 by Diane K. Stoecker · 7 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Protist diversity and phylogeny #Marine and coastal ecosystems #Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology #Mixotroph #Biology #Dinoflagellate #Phototroph #Photosynthesis #Plastid #Nutrient #Botany #Ecology #Heterotroph #Chloroplast #Bacteria #Biochemistry
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1550-7408.1999.tb04619.x
openalex publication_date 1999/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Mixotrophy, used herein for the combination of phototrophy and phagotrophy, is widespread among dinoflagellates. It occurs among most, perhaps all, of the extant orders, including the Prorocentrales, Dinophysiales. Gymnodiniales, Noctilucales, Gonyaulacales, Peridiniales, Blastodiniales. Phytodiniales, and Dinamoebales. Many cases of mixotrophy among dinoflagellates are probably undocumented. Primarily photosynthetic dinoflagellates with their “own” plastids can often supplement their nutrition by preying on other cells. Some primarily phagotrophic species are photosynthetic due to the presence of kleptochloroplasts or algal endosymbionts. Some parasitic dinoflagellates have plastids and are probably mixotrophic. For most mixotrophic dinoflagellates, the relative importance of photosynthesis, uptake of dissolved inorganic nutrients, and feeding are unknown. However, it is apparent that mixotrophy has different functions in different physiological types of dinoflagellates. Data on the simultaneous regulation of photosynthesis, assimilation of dissolved inorganic and organic nutrients, and phagotophy by environmental parameters (irradiance. availablity of dissolved nutrients, availability of prey) and by life history events are needed in order to understand the diverse roles of mixotrophy in dinoflagellates.