Amoebophyra | |
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Scientific classification | |
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Order: | Syndiniales (Coccidiniales)
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Genus: | Amoebophrya |
Amoebophrya is a genus of dinoflagellates.[1] Members of the Amoebophrya genus are syndinian parasites[2] that infect free-living dinoflagellates and have varying degrees of host specificity[3] The parasites might act as "biological control agents for red tides and aid in defining species of Amoebophrya." Researchers have found a correlation between host specify and the impact host parasites may have on other organisms. Due to the host specificity found in each strain of Amoebophrya's physical makeup, further studies need to be tested to determine whether the Amoebophrya can act as a control against harmful algal blooms.