Diversity of dinoflagellate assemblages in coastal temperate and offshore tropical waters of Australia

摘要: Dinoflagellates are a ubiquitous and ecologically important component of marine phytoplankton communities, with particularly notable species including those associated harmful algal blooms (HABs) that bioluminesce. High-throughput sequencing offers novel approach compared to traditional microscopy for determining assemblages distributions dinoflagellates, which poorly known especially in Australian waters. We assessed the composition dinoflagellate two locations: coastal temperate Port Phillip Bay offshore tropical waters Davies Reef (Great Barrier Reef). These locations differ certain environmental parameters reflecting latitude as well possible anthropogenic influences. Molecular taxonomic assessment revealed more than microscopy, it showed statistically significant differences between locations. Bioluminescent associates HABs were present at both sites. areas mainly represented by order Gymnodiniales (66%—82% total sequence reads). In warm Reef, equally superclades, sensu stricto (33%) Gyrodinium (34%). contrast, cooler Bay, was (82%). locations, bioluminescent dinoflagellates up 0.24% reads, Protoperidinium most abundant genus. HAB-related species, Gyrodinium, (up 47%) (28%), potentially influence from highly populated industrial surrounding bay. The entire assemblage subsets HAB strongly correlated water quality (R2 = 0.56–0.92). Significant predictors differed subsets: explained salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, solids; whereas, only salinity had greater variability. genotyping diversity previously subtropical correlations structure variables suggest potential explaining distribution species.