Cell Division of Gyrodinium sp. and Mitotic Delay Induced by Causal Substances of Algal Tumor and Carcinogens

Abstract

Marine, catenate dinoflagellate, Gyrodinium sp. which was previously reported, displayed cell divisions similar to that of Gonyaulax catenella. The cell division periods varied from 4.0 hours at 14.5°C to 2.4 hours at 24°C. Substances causing algal tumor, such as benzanthrone, 2-chloroanthraquinone and phenalene, together with such well know carcinogens as 20-methylcholanthrene, 9, 10-dimethyl 1, 2-benzanthracene and 3, 4-benzopyene brought about mitotic delays in Gyrodonoum sp. For detecing carcinogens discharged into coastal waters, the examination of mitotic delay in Gyridinium sp. seemed to be a useful approach.