• ALGAE
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.185-204
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• 2022

The genus Coolia A. Meunier 1919 has a global distribution and is a common member of epiphytic dinoflagellate assemblages in neritic ecosystems. Coolia monotis is the type species of the genus and was the only known species for 76 years. Over the past few decades, molecular characterization has unveiled two species complexes that group morphologically very similar species, so their limits are often unclear. To provide new knowledge on the biogeography and species composition of the genus Coolia, 16 strains were isolated from Bahía de La Paz, Gulf of California. The species were identified by applying morphological and molecular approaches. The morphometric characteristics of all isolated Coolia species were consistent with the original taxa descriptions. Phylogenetic analyses (large subunit [LSU] rDNA D1 / D2 and internal transcribed spacer [ITS] 1 / 5.8S / ITS2) revealed a species assemblage comprising Coolia malayensis, C. palmyrensis, C. tropicalis, and the C. cf. canariensis lineage. This is the first report of Coolia palmyrensis and C. cf. canariensis in Mexico and C. tropicalis in the Gulf of California. Our results strengthen the biogeographical understanding of these potentially harmful epiphytic dinoflagellate species.

• ALGAE
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2015

Coolia santacroce is a newly described epibenthic dinoflagellate species collected from the U.S. Virgin Islands. The original description indicates this species is unique from others in the Coolia monotis complex due to the relative size of the apical pore complex, broad range of pore sizes, and ribosomal DNA. The original description was done based on the isolation and cultivation of one isolate of the organism. In this study, we report three more isolates of Coolia santacroce collected from the Bahamas. Morphological observations were made using scanning electron microscopy that do not correspond to those from the original description, indicating the variability of the morphological features. However, analysis of the D1 / D2 regions of the large subunit rDNA places the three strains in a strongly supported monophyletic clade with the type specimen.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.57-69
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• 2023

Growth responses along the gradient of water temperature, salinity, and light intensity and cytotoxicity against Artemia nauplii were explored using Ostreopsis sp. and Coolia canariensis strains, representing the two potentially toxic epiphytic dinoflagellate (EPD) species from Jeju coastal waters of Korea. Variation in maximum growth rate (GRmax) and maximum biomass yield (Ymax) along the environmental gradients was quite contrasting between the two strains, which appears to be reflected in the in situ abundance distribution of the corresponding genera. The more eurythermal characteristics of Ostreopsis sp. strain were in good agreement with the relative distribution of Ostreopsis spp. and Coolia spp. in 520 macroalgal samples collected from 6 stations. The more stenohaline C. canariensis strain was well matched by a markedly narrower range of salinities in the in situ distribution of Coolia spp. than the salinity range for Ostreopsis species. The differences in light adaptation between the high light-preferring Ostreopsis sp. strain and the more euryphotic C. canariensis strain were remarkably consistent with the distinct vertical profiles of Ostreopsis spp. and Coolia spp. abundance in the red alga Amphiroa sp. off Moom-seom. Cytotoxicity against Artemia nauplii in the Ostreopsis sp. preparation with 1000 cells ml^-1 was similar to that in C. canariensis preparation with 12000 cells ml^-1, which is noteworthy. Thus, the new potential cytotoxicity risks from C. canariensis along with the well-known toxic genus Ostreopsis may be introduced to Jeju coasts, which necessitates further exploration into the contrasting ecological niches occupied by EPD species in relation to their cytotoxicity.

• ALGAE
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.175-193
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• 2021

This study provides the first report of the presence of Coolia malayensis in the Mediterranean Sea, co-occurring with C. monotis. Isolated strains from the Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia (South-eastern Mediterranean) were identified by morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis. Examination by light and scanning electron microscopy revealed no significant morphological differences between the Tunisian isolates and other geographically distant strains of C. monotis and C. malayensis. Phylogenetic trees based on ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and D1-D3/28S rDNA sequences showed that C. monotis strains clustered with others from the Mediterranean and Atlantic whereas the C. malayensis isolate branched with isolates from the Pacific and the Atlantic, therefore revealing no geographical trend among C. monotis and C. malayensis populations. Ultrastructural analyses by transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of numerous vesicles containing spirally coiled fibers in both C. malayensis and C. monotis cells, which we speculate to be involved in mucus production.

• ALGAE
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.91-109
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• 2021

The occurrence of benthic dinoflagellates, many of which are known to be toxic, is a critical concern for scientists, government officers, and people in the aquaculture, dining, and tourism industries. The interest in these dinoflagellates in countries with temperate climate is increasing because tropical or subtropical species introduced into temperate waters by currents are able to survive the winter season in the new environment owing to global warming. Recently, several species from the benthic dinoflagellate genera Amphidinium, Coolia, Ostreopsis, Gambierdiscus, and Prorocentrum have been reported in the waters of the South and East Sea of Korea. The advent of the benthic dinoflagellates in Korean waters is especially important because raw or slightly cooked seaweeds, which may harbor these benthic dinoflagellates, as well as raw fish, which can be potentially intoxicated by phytotoxins produced by some of these benthic dinoflagellates, are part of the daily Korean diet. The recent increase in temperature of Korean coastal waters has allowed for the expansion of benthic dinoflagellate species into these regions. In the present study, we reviewed the species, distribution, and toxicity of the benthic dinoflagellates that have been reported in Korean waters. We also provided an insight into the ecological and socio-economic importance of the occurrence of benthic dinoflagellates in Korean waters.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 2012

Genus of Gambierdiscus, Ostrepsis, Prorocentrum, Coolia and Amphidinium are epiphytic ciguatoxin-producing armored dinoflagellate, often attached on macroalgae. These organisms are the primary causative agent of ciguatera fish poisoning which occurs in tropical and subtropical regions. However, regardless of the fact that population of epiphytic dinoflagellates have expanded to such temperate areas from sub-trophic and trophic areas, monitoring of the epiphytic dinoflagellates was greatly lacked in coastal water of Korean Peninsula. This study was performed in the Korean Peninsula in November, 2011. Cell densities of Gambierdiscus spp. on macroalgae ranged from zero to 10 cells $g^{-1}$ and the maximum density was recorded at St.18 (Pohang guryongpo). The abundance of Ostreopsis spp. was highest on macro-algaes Chondrus ocellatus, Lomentaria catenata and Plocamium telfairiae (140 cells $g^{-1}$). The maximum abundance of Prorocentrum, Coolia and Amphidinium were 52, 3 and 1 cells $g^{-1}$, respectively. Of these, Prorocentrum lima was observed at most stations of East Sea. Therefore, our results suggest that the epiphytic armored dinoflagellates may have adapted to Korean coastal water of temperate areas (i.e., East Sea) and those abundances may be related to the macroalgal species.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.347-370
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• 2013

A study on the presence of benthic dinoflagellates in the intertidal zone along the coasts of Jeju Island, Korea was conducted during 2011 and 2012. Identification and taxonomic observations were made of the benthic dinoflagellate samples using light and epifluorescence microscopy. Thirty-seven dinoflagellate taxa belong to five orders, nine families, 18 genera and 30 species, which are new records for Korean waters, were detected in this study. The detailed nomenclature, references, distribution, and illustrations are presented here. The commonly occurring genera were Amphidinium, Coolia, Ostreopsis, Prorocentrum, and Thecadinium. Among the recorded species, 26 were found only in sand sediment, seven in macroalgal samples, and four were found in both sand and macroalgal samples. Of the 37 species, nine were potentially toxic. These results suggest that diversified benthic dinoflagellates including several potentially toxic species occur in sand sediment and macroalgae in the intertidal zone along the coasts of Jeju Island. The morphological features of the identified species were more or less similar to observations made by previous studies in Korea and elsewhere. The presence of known toxic species may indicate a potential risk of toxicity in the marine ecosystem of Jeju Island. The present study can be helpful for further detailed taxonomic, toxicological, molecular phylogenetic studies and may help in the management and conservation of Jeju Island's marine ecosystem.