Distribution and molecular phylogeny of the dinoflagellate genus Ostreopsis in Thailand

Mitochondrial, but not rDNA, genes fail to discriminate dinoflagellate species in the genus Ostreopsis

“…The ability to accurately identify whether toxic or non-toxic species are present is therefore important for assessing potential ecological or public health risks (Aligizaki et al, 2011;Privitera et al, 2012;Vila et al, 2012). Unfortunately, Ostreopsis species are morphologically plastic and nearly impossible to discriminate using light or scanning electron microscopy with the current criteria in use (Guerrini et al, 2010;Selina and Orlova, 2010;Honsell et al, 2011;Accoroni et al, 2012;Tawong et al, 2014) and a taxonomic revision of the whole genus is necessary based on new criteria. In contrast, Ostreopsis species can be readily distinguished according to various rDNA gene regions (Penna et al, 2005;Battocchi et al, 2010;Laza-Martinez et al, The marine dinoflagellate genus Ostreopsis includes species producing potent toxic compounds, such as paliytoxin and palytoxin analogs, which might cause problematic blooms in the Mediterranean Sea and other tropical or temperate areas.…”

“…Consequently, isolates, such as those morphologically assigned to O. cf. ovata, are currently referred to as putative species complex (Sato et al, 2011;Kang et al, 2013;Tawong et al, 2014). Again, extensive morphological studies have failed to reveal morphologically informative characters or other chemotaxonomic features which could be used to consistently discriminate closely related species.…”

Effects of temperature, salinity and their interaction on growth of benthic dinoflagellates Ostreopsis spp. from Thailand

“…6 and Ostreopsis sp. 7 (Tawong et al, 2014). Moreover, we found that the latter two clades of Ostreopsis from Thailand showed toxicity to mice (Tawong et al, 2014).…”

“…7 strain TB30OS were used for growth experiments. These Ostreopsis strains have been isolated from Thailand and identified based on the results of phylogenetic analyses (Tawong et al, 2014). Strains of TF29OS and TB30OS showed toxicities using mouse bioassay (Tawong et al, 2014).…”

“…In Thailand, occurrences of Ostreopsis spp. have been reported not only in a mangrove forest and shrimp pond in the northern Gulf of Thailand (Piumsomboon et al, 2001) but also in coastal areas of the Gulf of Thailand and of the Andaman Sea (Tawong et al, 2014). Therefore, it is important to clarify the growth characteristics of Ostreopsis to assess and minimize the risks to human health in Thailand.…”