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Photoresponses of the marine protist Ulkenia sp. zoospores to ambient, artificial and bioluminescent light

     Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 45435

Ulkenia sp. zoospores are attracted to 492 nm wavelength light produced by the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri. Zoospores are positively photoresponsive to wavelengths of 440, 460 and 480 nm and contain a pigment that absorbs blue light. The average velocity of the zoospores is 0.47 m h^–1. Stimulatory intensities of these wavelengths ranged from 0.5 to 3.5 µEm^–2 s^–1 in both laboratory and field studies. The response of this protist to bioluminescence produced by Vibrio fischeri may direct zoospores to a nutrient rich environment colonized by these bacteria. In addition, the greatest responses were found at intensities associated with the light regime found near the bottom of naturally turbid estuaries or at greater depths of nonturbid, offshore waters. Positive phototaxis was not seen in zones of high light intensity either in field or laboratory studies, and there is some indication that zoospores may swim away from high light intensities.

Key words: action spectrum, bacteria, blue light, carotenoid, phototactic response, thraustochytrid, Vibrio fischeri