Description
Biodiversity, distribution and toxicity of benthic dinoflagellates in a subtropical reef: the first comprehensive study in Hong Kong Veronica T.T. Lam, Sam K.F. Yiu, Priscilla T.Y. Leung, Meng Yan, Tak-Cheung Wai, Paul K.S. Lam Abstract Marine dinoflagellates are well known causative agents for harmful algal blooms (HABs) and seafood poisoning. Their records are worldwide, and their occurrences are more frequently reported in tropical and subtropical regions. Marine benthic dinoflagellates, unlike the planktonic form, generally inhabit substrate surface such as macroalgae, coral rubbles or/ and sediments in reef ecosystems. The outbreaks of benthic species are generally subtle and have no clear visible environmental phenomena, such as blooms/ red tides as shown by planktonic dinoflagellates, and therefore are often overlooked before the occurrence of food poisoning cases. Hong Kong has subtropical climate, is regularly affected by the HABs of planktonic dinoflagellates. The occurrence of algal blooms and biodiversity of the benthic dinoflagellates, as well as their potential risks to the local marine environments, are however virtually unknown. This study, for the first time, successfully isolated >200 strains of benthic dinoflagellate from local coral communities and rocky reefs. A total of 20 benthic dinoflagellate species of genera Amphidinium, Coolia, Fukuyoa, Ostreopsis and Prorocentrum were comprehensively revealed using morphological and molecular techniques; and a benthic algal culture collection has been systematically established. These species were eventually examined by bioassays, and potentially toxic benthic dinoflagellates have been discovered. This study has updated the current biodiversity and distribution of the toxic benthic dinoflagellates, and contributes to the understanding of their emerging threats to the sub-tropical reef systems locally and regionally. In addition, the established algal culture collection is an important resource for supporting further studies of HABs| Period | 21 Oct 2018 → 26 Oct 2018 |
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| Event type | Conference |