Summary: Epiphytic microalgae were monitored on various substrates of seagrass and macroalgae and in the water column for one year (from March 2013 to March 2014) in Oued Lafrann along the eastern coast of Chebba (Tunisia) with a focus on the distribution patterns of the epibenthic toxic dinoflagellates Ostreopsis cf. ovata, Prorocentrum lima and Coolia monotis. Microalgae assemblages were dominated by diatoms and dinoflagellates both in the water column and on vegetation. High concentrations of epiphytic toxic and potentially toxic dinoflagellates were preferentially hosted by Posidonia leaves, mainly in the apical and middle regions of the leaves, and P. lima was the dominant species. A significant positive correlation was found between P. lima concentrations on Posidonia and in the water column, suggesting that macrophytes should be sampled in the framework of harmful algal species monitoring. Ostreopsis cf. ovata, exhibited low concentrations and was mainly present on the inner surface of the Posidonia leaf, whereas P. lima was mainly present on the outer surface of the leaf, suggesting a likely space competition.Keywords: Prorocentrum lima; Ostreopsis cf. ovata; Coolia monotis; Prorocentrum micans; magnoliophytes; macroalgae. Patrones de variabilidad de las microalgas epibentónicas en la costa este tunecinaResumen: Las microalgas epifitas fueron monitorizadas en varios sustratos de praderas marinas, macroalgas y en la columna de agua durante un año (de marzo 2013 hasta marzo 2014) en Oued Lafrann, en la costa este de Chebba (Túnez), con especial atención a la distribución de dinoflagelados tóxicos epibénicos, como Ostreopsis cf. ovata, Prorocentrum lima y Coolia monotis. Las comunidades de microalgas estaban dominadas por diatomeas y dinoflagelados, tanto en la columna de agua como en la vegetación. Se encontraron elevadas concentraciones de dinoflagelados epífitos tóxicos preferentemente en las hojas de Posidonia, principalmente en las regiones apicales y media y Prorocentrum lima fue la especie epífita dominante. Se observó una correlación positiva significativa entre las concentraciones de P. lima en Posidonia y en la columna de agua, lo que sugiere el muestreo de esta macrófita como parte de la monitorización de especies nocivas. Las células de Ostreopsis cf. ovata mostraron concentraciones bajas y se encontraron principalmente en la superficie interior de la hoja de Posidonia contrariamente a la distribución de P. lima presente principalmente en la superficie exterior de la lámina. Este hecho probablemente sugiere una competencia espacial entre los dos microalgas tóxicas.
During the last decades, microalgae communities have presented significant changes in their structure and taxa composition along the Mediterranean littoral shallow waters. Despite numerous studies conducted to characterize these changes at various levels, it has always been very difficult to disentangle the effects of physicochemical factors from the meteorological ones. The main purpose of this work was to evaluate possible changes, over a 17-year scale (1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013), in diversity and abundance of three toxic and potentially toxic microalgae related to changes in environmental parameters on Sfax coasts, a pole of shellfish production in Tunisia. In this 17-year span, a chronological series of data showed that a clear disparity from one year to another was observed in the abundance of studied species. The distribution of these species has been subjected to a seasonal cycle. The studied microalgae, especially Prorocentrum lima, seem to have significant relationships with many physicochemical and meteorological parameters.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.