Ultrastructure and 18S rDNA sequence analysis of Wobblia lunata gen. et sp. nov., a new heterotrophic flagellate (Stramenopiles, Incertae sedis)

Protist. 2000 May;151(1):41-55. doi: 10.1078/1434-4610-00006.

Abstract

A new heterotrophic flagellate Wobblia lunata gen. et sp. nov. is described. This organism usually attaches to the substratum showing a wobbling motion, and sometimes glides on the substratum or swims freely in the medium. W. lunata has various features characteristic of the stramenopiles. These include a hairy flagellum with tripartite tubular hairs, a mitochondrion with tubular cristae, arrangement of flagellar apparatus components and a double helix in the flagellar transition zone. W. lunata shares a double helix with heterotrophic stramenopiles, including Developayella elegans, oomycetes, hyphochytrids, opalinids and proteromonads, and could be placed in the phylum Bigyra Cavalier-Smith. However, from 18S rDNA tree analysis, these organisms form two distantly-related clades in the stramenopiles, and Wobblia appears at the base of the stramenopiles. Evaluation of morphological features and comparison of 18S rDNA sequences indicate that W. lunata is a member of the stramenopiles, but it is distinct from any other stramenopiles so far described. Its phylogenetic position within the stramenopiles is uncertain and therefore W. lunata is described as a stramenopile incertae sedis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics*
  • Eukaryota / classification
  • Eukaryota / genetics*
  • Eukaryota / ultrastructure*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Plankton / cytology
  • Plankton / genetics
  • Plankton / ultrastructure*

Substances

  • DNA, Ribosomal

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB032606