• 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.

• 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.

• ALGAE
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.213-231
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• 2013

Amphidinium massartii Biecheler is an epiphytic and toxic dinoflagellate. Prior to the present study, A. massartii has been reported in the waters off the Mediterranean, Australian, USA, and Canadian coasts. We isolated Amphidinium cells from the coastal waters of Jeju Island, Korea and their morphology and rDNA sequences indicated that they were A. massartii. Herein, we report for the first time the occurrence of A. massartii in the waters of the temperate region in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequences of the Korean strains were 0.7% different from those of an Australian strain of A. massartii CS-259, the closest species, but were 4.1-5.8% different from those of the other Australian strains and the USA strains of A. massartii and from those of Amphidinium sp. HG115 that was isolated from subtropical Okinawan waters. In phylogenetic trees based on LSU, internal transcribed spacer, small subunit rDNA, and cytochrome b sequences, the Korean strains belonged to the A. massartii clade, which was clearly divergent from the A. carterae clade. The morphology of the Korean A. massartii strains was similar to that of the originally described French strain and recently described Australian strain. However, we report for the first time here that scales were observed on the surface of the flagella. In conclusion, the Korean A. massartii strains have unique rDNA sequences, even though they have a very similar morphology to that of previously reported strains. This report extends the known range of this dinoflagellate to the temperate waters of the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

• ALGAE
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2011

Five benthic species of the genus Gambierdiscus (Dinophyceae) were observed for the first time in the coastal waters of Pakistan, Northern Indian Ocean. The morphology of the epiphytic, ciguatera-related toxic species G. toxicus, G. belizeanus, G. polynesiensis, G. australes and G. cf. yasumotoi are presented here, described by the Kofoid system of thecal plates Po, 3', 7", 6c, 8s, 5"', 1p, 2"" with differences in cell shape, cell size, plates, pores around the apical pore plate by using light and scanning electron microscopy. The occurrence of these potentially toxic dinoflagellate species in Pakistani coastal areas of Manora Channel and Balochistan during high temperatures of 28-$32^{\circ}C$ is cause of concern for human health impacts from ciguatera fish poisoning.

• 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.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.236-248
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• 2019

We investigated occurrence and molecular phylogeny of the toxic epiphytic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis at seven sampling sites in the coastal waters off Jeju Island of Korea in April, 2017. During the sampling period, surface water temperature ranged from 15.7 to $18.3^{\circ}C$ and salinity was relatively constant, ranging from 33.4 to 34.9. Of a total of 13 macroalgal species collected from all sampling sites, Ostreopsis cells were observed from 8 macroalgal species and the highest cell abundance ($157.5cells\;g^{-1}$) was recorded on the red alga Grateloupia filicina at St. 6. LSU rDNA D8/D10 sequences of all Korean Ostreopsis strains isolated from the 4 sampling sites were 100% identical. Molecular phylogentic analyses (BI and ML) inferred from LSU rDNA alignment showed that the Korean Ostreopsis strains placed into the previously described the Ostreopsis sp. 1 clade, which contained strains isolated from the temperate coastal waters of Japan. The Korean Ostreopsis sp. 1 strain grew in a wide range of temperature ($10-30^{\circ}C$) and salinity (25-30), with its maximum growth rate of $0.49d^{-1}$ at $25^{\circ}C$ and salinity of 30, indicating that they can be tolerated in temperate areas.

• 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.

• ALGAE
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.241-261
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• 2021

Amphidinium species are amongst the most abundant benthic dinoflagellates in marine intertidal sandy ecosystems. Some of them produce a variety of bioactive compounds that have both harmful effects and pharmaceutical potential. In this study, Amphidinium cells were isolated from intertidal sand collected from the East China Sea. The two strains established were subjected to detailed examination by light, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The vegetative cells had a minute, irregular, and triangular-shaped epicone deflected to the left, thus fitting the description of Amphidinium sensu stricto. These strains are distinguished from other Amphidinium species by combination characteristics: (1) longitudinal flagellum inserted in the lower third of the cell; (2) icicle-shaped scales, 276 ± 17 nm in length, on the cell body surface; (3) asymmetrical hypocone with the left side longer than the right; and (4) presence of immotile cells. Therefore, they are described here as Amphidinium stirisquamtum sp. nov. The molecular tree inferred from small subunit rRNA, large subunit rRNA, and internal transcribed spacer-5.8S sequences revealed that A. stirisquamtum is grouped together with the type species of Amphidinium, A. operculatum, in a fully supported clade, but is distantly related to other Amphidinium species bearing body scale. Live A.stirisquamtum cells greatly affected the survival of rotifers and brine shrimp, their primary grazers, making them more susceptible to predation by the higher tropic level consumers in the food web. This will increase the risk of introducing toxicity, and consequently, the bioaccumulation of toxins through marine food webs.