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Mixotrophic and heterotrophic dinoflagellates in eutrophic coastal waters of the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean Sea)

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Published/Copyright: February 1, 2012
Botanica Marina
From the journal Volume 55 Issue 1

Abstract

In the period 2001–2003, I quantitatively explored the importance of mixotrophic and heterotrophic dinoflagellates in four eutrophic gulfs on the Greek coastline of the Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean. Phytoplankton analysis (250 samples, 401 species) focused on determinations of cell abundance and carbon biomass of diatoms, dinoflagellates (autotrophic, mixotrophic, heterotrophic), and coccolithophores. Among the 177 dinoflagellates, 145 autotrophic, 18 mixotrophic, and 14 heterotrophic species were identified comprising up to 18%, 3%, and 1% of total phytoplankton cell abundance, respectively. Analysis of total carbon biomass contributions among taxa showed that the heterotrophic dinoflagellate population contributed the highest carbon proportion (65%) to the stocks of phytoplankton community in contrast to the low contributions of the autotrophic (14%) and mixotrophic (1%) dinoflagellate species. One heterotrophic and 11 mixotrophic species were harmful algae. This major contribution of heterotrophic species to total carbon biomass may affect the concepts of trophodynamics and food web structure. Seasonal and regional distributions of heterotrophic and mixotrophic dinoflagellates are considered.

Keywords: dinoflagellates; Mediterranean Sea; mixotrophic, heterotrophic
Received: 2011-8-26
Accepted: 2012-1-10
Published Online: 2012-02-01
Published in Print: 2012-02-01

©2012 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston

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  6. Mixotrophic and heterotrophic dinoflagellates in eutrophic coastal waters of the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean Sea)
  7. Seasonal dynamic of macroalgae in intertidal pools formed by beds of Crassostrea gigas (Mollusca, Bivalvia) on the north Patagonian Atlantic coast
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https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2012-0096
Keywords for this article
dinoflagellates; Mediterranean Sea; mixotrophic, heterotrophic

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Review
  2. Environmental requirements and habitat preferences of phytoplankton: chance and certainty in species selection
  3. Research Articles
  4. Bioactive effects of Prorocentrum minimum on juvenile bay scallops (Argopecten irradians irradians) are dependent upon algal physiological status
  5. Karenia brevis red tides and brevetoxin-contaminated fish: a high risk factor for Florida’s scavenging shorebirds?
  6. Mixotrophic and heterotrophic dinoflagellates in eutrophic coastal waters of the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean Sea)
  7. Seasonal dynamic of macroalgae in intertidal pools formed by beds of Crassostrea gigas (Mollusca, Bivalvia) on the north Patagonian Atlantic coast
  8. Three Dinophyceae from Clipperton Island lagoon (eastern Pacific Ocean), including a description of Peridiniopsiscristata var. tubulifera var. nov.
  9. A morphological study of epipsammic diatoms (Bacillariophyta) from the tropical Mexican Pacific, including two species of Aulacodiscus, and a description of the new species Cerataulus simsae Hernández-Becerril et Barón-Campis
  10. Variation in rhodolith morphology and biogenic potential of newly discovered rhodolith beds in Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada)
  11. New records of red algae from mangroves in El Salvador and Pacific Mexico, combining culture and molecular observations
  12. Book review
  13. Grønlands havalger
  14. Prelims
  15. Prelims
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