Diversity, distribution, and new phylogenetic information of calcareous dinoflagellates from the China Sea

Abstract

Calcareous dinoflagellates have been recorded from subarctic to tropical areas, inhabiting both neritic and oceanic regions. In the present study we analyse 12 sediment samples from the China Sea to establish the existence of calcareous dinoflagellates in this area. A total of 11 calcareous dinoflagellate species were recorded, among them, three genera (Calciodinellum, Leonella, Posoniella) and seven species (Calciodinellum albatrosianum, C. levantinum, C. operosum, Leonella granifera, Posoniella tricarinelloides, Scrippsiella irregularis, and S. regalis) were reported from the China Sea for the first time. Cysts of S. irregularis and S. precaria are identical, with a mesoepicystal archeopyle, representing the loss of 2–4′ and 1–3a paraplates; however, their thecal plates vary slightly and differ from each other in 78 positions of the internal transcribed spacer sequence. Scrippsiella trochoidea is dominant in coastal areas, whereas Calciodinellum albatrosianum is the most abundant offshore. Scrippsiella irregularis is distributed widely along the coast of China, whereas S. precaria is recorded only in northern China. Leonella granifera is the second most abundant species offshore, comprising 15–40% of the cyst assemblage.

SAME BUT DIFFERENT: TWO NOVEL BICARINATE SPECIES OF EXTANT CALCAREOUS DINOPHYTES (THORACOSPHAERACEAE, PERIDINIALES) FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA1

“…The existence of the Scrippsiella s.l. clade, however, has been repeatedly shown in molecular phylogenies (Montresor et al 2003, Gottschling et al 2005b, Gu et al 2011, and our three loci-approach for phylogenetic inference provides slightly improved supports for a number of nodes. The monophyly of Scrippsiella s.l.…”

“…2003, Gottschling et al. 2005b, Gu et al. 2011), and our three loci‐approach for phylogenetic inference provides slightly improved supports for a number of nodes.…”

Taxonomic clarification of the dinophyte Peridinium acuminatum Ehrenb., ≡ Scrippsiella acuminata, comb. nov. (Thoracosphaeraceae, Peridiniales)

“…1, Zinssmeister et al 2012. Molecular data indicate the existence of a large sequence diversity of molecular ribotypes, particularly of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) (Montresor et al 2003, Gottschling et al 2005, Gu et al 2011, that is not reflected in morphological differentiation and that may correspond to numerous 'cryptic species' within the S. trochoidea species complex.…”

Morphology and Phylogeny of Scrippsiella precaria Montresor & Zingone (Thoracosphaerales, Dinophyceae) from Korean Coastal Waters

“…Cysts of S. precaria have also been reported in Japanese coastal waters [25,26]; however, vegetative cells and resting cysts of S. precaria have not yet been reported from Korean coastal areas. According to Montresor and Zingone [23] and Gu et al [20], S. precaria share three anterior intercalary plates with Scrippsiella ramonii and Scrippsiella irregularis, and these species form a clade phylogenetically. However, the clade also includes N. polonicum, which has two anterior intercalary plates.…”

“…However, most studies on the classification of Scrippsiella species using morphological and genetic approaches have focused on the Mediterranean and Atlantic diversities [18,19]. Gu et al [13,20] and Luo et al [15] recently reported the diversity of Scrippsiella species from Chinese coastal areas, and the morphology and phylogeny of several Scrippsiella species from Korean coastal areas, such as Scrippsiella lachrymosa and Scrippsiella masanensis, have been described [21,22].…”