What makes Cochlodinium polykrikoides a motile organism?
Cochlodinium polykrikoides is a highly motile organism. They are generally found in aggregations of 4 or 8 cell zooids. Chain length is known to be affected by the presence of grazers and the inclusion of vitamins B 1 ,B 7 and B 12. This species is also capable of mixotrophy, which makes them extremely persistent during a large algal bloom.
Is the Cochlodinium polykrikoides harmful to fish?
C. polykrikoides can also generate reactive oxygen species which are lethal to both pelagic fish and shellfish even in low concentrations. In late 2008 and early 2009 (November–February) there was a massive bloom of Cochlodinium polykrikoides in the Sea of Oman, off the coast of Oman in the Persian Sea.
How big is a Cochlodinium polykrikoides single cell?
Single cells of this species are ovoidal in shape, 30-50μm in length and 25-30μm in width. Cochlodinium polykrikoides is a highly motile organism.
When did the Cochlodinium polykrikoides bloom in Oman?
In late 2008 and early 2009 (November–February) there was a massive bloom of Cochlodinium polykrikoides in the Sea of Oman, off the coast of Oman in the Persian Sea. It was notable for being based on Cochlodinium polykrikoides rather than the Noctiluca scintillans ( Noctiluca miliaris) that had been more usual in the immediately previous years.