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Phases in the life history of the dinoflagellate Dinophysis pavillardi Schroeder from cultured phytoplankton assemblages are described. Under stressful conditions, induced in the laboratiny through substantial t h m i c and nutritive changes, vegetative cells divided repeatedly. Scanning electron and light microscopy of dividing specimens showed that thecal jission began with the separation of the sulcal and ventral epithecal plates and the simultaneous dislocation of the pore plates Pom the right cell half: The posterior progression of the division hd to pairs of cells attached antapically, which produced a new wall of reduced size. This phase of the life cycle coincided with the appearance and dmelopment of small f m of D. pavillardi, which displayed cytologacal features and behavior typical of male gametes, suggesting a process of gametogenesis through depauperating mitotic divisions. Anisogamy occurred at the time of the maximum production of small cells and involved the shedding of thecal components by the smaller gamete and subsequent cytoplasmic fusion and f m a t i o n of planozygotes. Although the d m a n c y aspects of this species remain unknown, these observations provide the jirst midence of sexuality.

Summer outbreaks of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium taylorii Balech are recurrent events in nearshore waters of Sicily (Italy)-a central region in the Mediterranean Sea-producing dense yellowish-green patches. Beyond the local phenomenon, the problem covers a broader geographic scale, involving also other European localities, mostly in Spain. Biological, environmental, and molecular data are reported here from a semi-closed bay of Sicily (Vulcano Island, Tyrrhenian Sea, 2000-2003, showing in summer the recurrence of high-biomass blooms and events of water discolouration. With-Guest editors: G. Relini & J. Ryland Biodiversity in Enclosed Seas and Artificial Marine Habitats

Summer outbreaks of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium taylorii Balech are recurrent events in nearshore waters of Sicily (Italy)-a central region in the Mediterranean Sea-producing dense yellowish-green patches. Beyond the local phenomenon, the problem covers a broader geographic scale, involving also other European localities, mostly in Spain. Biological, environmental, and molecular data are reported here from a semi-closed bay of Sicily (Vulcano Island, Tyrrhenian Sea, 2000-2003), showing in summer the recurrence of high-biomass blooms and events of water discolouration. Without underestimating the setbacks to the tourism industry, the ecological impact of A. taylorii blooms may be important considering the high levels of biomass produced (West Bay, Vulcano: up to a magnitude order of 107 cells l-1, 50-180 μg-Chla l-1, June 2002 and 2003) and coincident conditions of oxygen supersaturation of the waters (130-170%). Trophic trends in the Tyrrhenian site indicate high amounts of nutrients linked to the increased anthropogenic activity in summer, although recently there has been an apparent shift of the marked eutrophic conditions towards a slighter eutrophy. Genetic data on isolates of A. taylorii from the Mediterranean Sea are also discussed. Molecular analyses implied the sequencing of target rDNA regions (5.8S rDNA and ITS regions) of several isolates from different Mediterranean localities, as well as the application of species-specific PCR assays for rapid species identification in preserved field samples. The confirmation of the specific identity provided new insights into the biogeography of this species and further evidence of the occurrence of A. taylorii in a number of Mediterranean localities, both in the western side (the Catalan coast of Spain) and the eastern area (Greece). Analyses of the molecular diversity of geographically distinct isolates of A. taylorii from Italy, Spain, and Greece based on the 5.8S rDNA-ITS region sequences showed a high level of similarity, indicating the existence of an unique Mediterranean population