Marine Dinoflagellate Collection

Curatorial Practices

There are two methodological strategies to obtain strains: (a) induction to cyst germination according to the biological method of cleaning and concentrating cysts, and (b) isolation of vegetative forms with micropipette, starting from phytoplankton samples collected with a net or concentrated with inverse filtration.

The strains are maintained in liquid, using f/2 and GSe culture mediums. Culture room conditions are maintained at 20 ± 2 and 25 ± 2 °C; cycles of light-darkness of 12:12 h; and 2,200 Lux of average luminous intensity. Re-inoculation of strains is performed every 25 days.

To identify strains we apply traditional light microscopy methods. The dinoflagellates are identified with theca dissection technique and the use of stains, while naked dinoflagellates are observed live to facilitate the location of key morphologic features that allow discriminating among species. To identify complex species, and those with features that are difficult to observe with conventional microscopes, a Scanning Electron Microscope is used.

An iconography record is being compiled with a system of image analysis.