• ALGAE
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2017

To quantify the abundance of the harmful dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides in natural seawaters, we developed the innovative procedure using a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) with C. polykrikoides-specific primers targeting the internal transcription sequence (ITS). The abundance of C. polykrikoides was estimated by the specific copy number of target ITS DNA segments per cell in cultures and natural water samples. The copy number per C. polykrikoides cell as acquired by ddPCR was $157{\pm}16$, which was evaluated against known cell numbers through a simplified protocol preparing DNAs. The abundances of C. polykrikoides in the waters of different locations estimated by ddPCR agreed with the number of cells visually counted under a microscope. This protocol was used to measure the abundance of C. polykrikoides close to and further off the southern coast of Korea in August of 2016 and 2017. The practical application showed that this method can reduce time for analysis and increase accuracy.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.spc
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• pp.1-7
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• 2005

To resolve some of the most pressing uncertainties of Peridinium identity, morphological characteristics of Korean Peridinium were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. The Peridinium samples were collected from three different regions of Juam, Sang-sa and Togyo Reservoirs, when seasonal blooms occurred. Formula of the epithecal plate was recorded with 7 precingular, 3 intercalary, and 4 apical plates (4', 3a, 7"). An apical pore, 3 ${\sim}$ 5 ${\mu}m$ in size, was apparently present. The cingulum was easily observed under light microscope, and was considerably offset by about 15 ${\mu}m$ (2 ${\sim}$ 3 times per cingulum width). The sulcus was straight longitudinally and widened apparently towards the antapex. None of spine was found on the surface of the thecal plates on scanning electron micrographs. The average body length was 50.4 ${\mu}m$ with a range of 29 ${\sim}$ 63 ${\mu}m$. The geometric dimension, as designated to the body length:width ratio, was found from calculation to be 1.12 with a range of 1.00 ${\sim}$ 1.35, therefore, the cell was shown slightly elongated. Based on their morphology, the causative organisms of red tides in three different Korean waters were identified as P. bipes f. occultatum, which was reported for the first time in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Fisheries Technology Conference
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• 2000.05a
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• pp.381-381
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• 2000

Lectin binding assay was conducted on 3 A. tamarense isolates (AT-A, AT-2 and AT-6). Fatty acid composition of all 3 isolates was analyzed, and total carotenoid content and $\beta$-carotene were also determined. AT-A and AT-2 treated with different lectins in this study showed the positive response, whereas potentially toxic AT-6 did not bind DBA lectin, regardless of different growth phase, but conjugated ConA, PNA, RCA, SBA, UEA and WGA. It is possible that DBA is a desirable method for rapid and easy discrimination of highly toxic A. tamarense. AT-A, AT-2 and AT-6 comprised saturated fatty acids (49.0-61.9%), monounsaturated fatty acids (8.0-20.5%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (23.2-30.5%). In particular, 22:6 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid in AT-6 had a high abundance, compared with AT-A and AT-2. However, carotenoid content and $\beta$-carotene were not contributed to discriminate each isolate. Due to variability in biochemical composition at different isolates, possibly DBA and 22:6 (n-3) polyunsaturate fatty acid provide a good information for discrimination of AT-6.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.175-183
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• 2004

The dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamiyavanichii Balech, a producer of toxins causing paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), has recently been considered as one of main organisms responsible for toxication of shellfish in Japan. In this study, A. tamiyavanichii was subjected to a molecular phylogenetic analysis inferred from 28S rDNA D1-D2 sequences and a species-specific LSU rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide DNA probe was designed to identify A. tamiyavanichii using the whole cell-FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization). The sequences of the 28S rDNA D1-D2 region of A. tamiyavanichii showed no difference from A. cohorticular AF1746l4 (present name A. tamiyavanichii) and formed a distinct clade from the 'tamarensis species complex'. The probe, TAMID2, reacted specifically with A. tamiyavanichii cultured cells, without any cross-reaction with other species belonging to the same genus, including A. tamarense, A. catenella, A. affine, A. fraterculus, A. insuetum and A. pseudogonyaulax. In a test of cross-reactivity with a field sample, TAMID2 reacted consistently with only A. tamiyavanichii, indicating that the present protocol involving the TAMID2 probe might be useful for detecting toxic A. tamiyavanichii in a simple and rapid manner.

• ALGAE
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.251-255
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• 2008

In Gamak Bay, Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) was first detected from seafoods in 2003, however the toxin source is unknown yet. In this study, we report potential PSP producers of toxic dinoflagellates, describing morphology and abundance of cysts isolated from surface sediment of Gamak Bay. The most abundant type in these cysts was characterized with ellipsoidal and transparent wall identical to Alexandrium catenella and/or A. tamarense. Germination experiment of the cysts revealed that all motile cells germinated were morphologically identified as A. tamarense. This result suggests that A. tamarense may relate to PSP contaminations in Gamak Bay. Moreover, bottom water temperature in Gamak Bay is favorable for germination of A. tamarense cysts. Further studies are required to carry out the PSP monitoring for preventing the risk of PSP events that may outbreak in future at Gamak Bay.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2004

Based on both field and laboratory experiments, seasonal changes in the species composition and abundance of phytoplankton in the gut contents of the jedo venus clam, Protothaca jedoensis, and its feeding selectivity were investigated. The phytoplankton in the gut contents comprised Bacillariophyceae (diatom), Chlorophyceae, Chrysophyceae, and Dinophyceae, of which the diatoms being the most predominant throughout the year. Although the number of species and the abundance of phytoplankton in the sea water were always more diverse and more abundant than in the gut contents, the relative number and abundance were generally similar in the seawater and in the gut contents. In the laboratory experiments, the relative abundances of Coscinodiscus marginatus and Thalassirosira eccentrica were much more higher in the gut contents than any other algal species, while Paralia sulcata, Skeletonema costatum, and Eucampia zodiacus were abundant in order of cell density in the ambient water. These results suggest that P. jedoensis may feed preferably on single algal cell or smaller chains of algal cells.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.205-208
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• 2008

The mixotrophic dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides was reported to be linked to major fish kills in Korea and Japan since the 1990s. Rapid and sensitive detection of microalgae has been problematic because morphological identification of dinoflagellates requires light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic observations that are time consuming and laborious compared to real-time PCR. To address this issue, a real-time PCR probe targeting the ITS2 rRNA gene was used for rapid detection and quantification of C. polykrikoides. PCR inhibitors in water column samples were removed by dilution of template DNA for elimination of false-negative reactions. A strong association between cell quantification using real-time PCR and microscopic counts suggests that the real-time PCR assay is an alternative method for cell estimation of C. polykrikoides in environment samples.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.639-647
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• 2005

The aim of this study is to determine the outbreaks of nontoxic Gonyaulax polygramma Stein in Yeosu waters in place of harmful Cochlodinium polykrikoides Margalef, which has occurred annually in the same region since 1995. The observation of cellular arrangement and structure by electron microscopy showed that G. polygramma isolated from Yeosu waters had a few spines connecting with membranes and prominent longitudinal ridges on the cell surface, with a cingular displacement 1.5 times their cell width. Furthermore, the location of the nucleus was posterior of large oval formation according to electron microscopy. On 6 August, 2004, the first bloom of G. polygramma occurred, the date of its disappearance was with a maximum cell density of 8,000 cells $ml^{-1}$ on 21 August, 2004. During the period of this study, the horizontal distribution of sea water temperature and salinity showed a strong coastal front, whereas the front of DIN (Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen) was significantly different between the occurrence and disappearance of G. polygramma blooms. These results suggested that the process of the breakdown of stratification by wind and a low level of inorganic nitrogen play important roles in the rapid growth of G. polygramma, which is associated with a greater robustness in growth against DIN than that of C. polykrikoides in nature.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.313-326
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• 2012

Three embankments, namely Changpo, Bokkil and Guil, in Chunggye Bay were investigated to assess the influence of environmental changes to phytoplankton size structure, distribution of species and standing crops. Three stations was sampled near at each embankment in Nov. 2006, Feb. 2007, May 2007 and Aug. Phytoplankton were classified into net-size (>20${\mu}m$) and nano-size (<20${\mu}m$). In summer, the freshwater discharge seemed to have influence in the decrease of salinity and in the increase of turbidity, ammonium and phosphorus concentrations. Chl a concentration and phytoplankton abundance in Feb. 2007 were observed to be generally higher in all stations compared to other periods. Net-size phytoplankton was observed to be higher in Feb. 2007 and May 2007 compared to nano-sized phytoplankton. However, there was shift in phytoplankton composition in Nov. 2006 and Aug. 2007. Phytoplankton under seven class (Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Chrysophyceae, Cryptophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Dinophyceae, Euglenophyceae) was identified during the study period. It was found out that the major phytoplankton class was Bacillariophyceae. Phytoplankton was more diverse in autumn compared to any other season. Cyanophyceae was increased in summer. In rainy season, change in physical factors (salinity, transparency) seemed to have more influence on phytoplankton growth compared to inorganic nutrients.

• ALGAE
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.73-90
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• 2021

Relative to the large number of photosynthetic dinoflagellate species, only a select few possess proteinaceous, carotenoid-rich eyespots which have been demonstrated in other algae to act in phototactic responses. The proteins comprising the different categories of dinoflagellate eyespots are positioned in or near the peridinin-containing photosynthetic plastid membranes which are composed primarily of two galactolipids, mono- and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG and DGDG). Within eyespot-containing dinoflagellates, this arrangement occurs mostly in those with secondary plastids, although some dinoflagellates with tertiary plastids of diatom origin are known to possess eyespots. We here provide an examination of the MGDG and DGDG composition of eyespot-containing dinoflagellates with secondary, peridinin-containing plastids and tertiary plastids of diatom origin to address the fundamental question of whether eyespots and their component proteins and carotenoids are associated with alterations in galactolipid composition when compared to eyespot-lacking photosynthetic dinoflagellates. This is an important question because the dinoflagellate eyespot-plastid membrane system can be considered a more complicated and evolved state of plastid development. Included in this examination are data on the previously unexamined peridinin- and type A eyespot-containing dinoflagellate Margalefidinium polykrikoides, and the type D eyespot-containing, aberrant plastid "dinotom" Durinskia baltica. In addition, we have reviewed the galactolipid composition of algae from the Chlorophyceae, Cryptophyceae, and Euglenophyceae as a comparison to determine if algal classes apart from the Dinophyceae contain altered galactolipids in association with eyespots. We conclude that the presence of an eyespot in dinoflagellates and other algae is not associated with noticeable changes in galactolipid composition.