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Zooxanthellae

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Encyclopedia of Modern Coral Reefs

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS))

Synonyms

Algal symbionts; Symbiodinium

Definition

The term “zooxanthellae” refers to a paraphyletic group of yellow-brown microalgae, including certain dinoflagellates, diatoms, cryptophytes, chrysophytes (golden algae), and rhodophytes (red algae), that are found in mutualistic symbiosis with a variety of invertebrate and protist hosts. “Zooxanthellae” is a plural noun (singular: zooxanthella) derived from the Greek words zoo (animal), xanthos (yellow), and ella (diminutive): “yellow animal cells.” On coral reefs, vernacular usage almost exclusively refers to the symbiotic dinoflagellates in the genus Symbiodinium that are commonly found in certain corals, anemones, jellies, clams, worms, sponges, and other reef organisms.

Introduction

Zooxanthellae are ubiquitous and critical members of coral reef ecosystems (Taylor, 1974; Muscatine and Porter, 1977; Trench, 1993; Rowan, 1998). They are normally abundant, with healthy reefs typically containing >109 cells per m2, but due to their...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy, 33149, Miami, FL, USA

    Andrew C. Baker

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  1. Andrew C. Baker
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. James Cook University, Townsville, Australia

    David Hopley

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Baker, A.C. (2011). Zooxanthellae. In: Hopley, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Modern Coral Reefs. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2639-2_280

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