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Harmful algal blooms: mechanisms, monitoring, and prevention in a rapidly changing world
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Benthic harmful dinoflagellate assemblages of Perhentian Islands (South China Sea): the relationships between benthic substratum characteristics, depth and monsoonal shift
P-B1-07-S
Li Keat Lee* , Institute of Ocean and Earth Science, University Malaya
Zhen Fei Lim, Institute of Ocean and Earth Science, University Malaya
Hwa Lin Yong, Institute of Ocean and Earth Science, University Malaya
Nurin Izzati Mustapa, Institute of Ocean and Earth Science, University Malaya
Leo Lai Chan, State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong
Haifeng Gu, Third Institute of Oceanography, Xiamen
Chui Pin Leaw, Institute of Ocean and Earth Science, University Malaya
Po Teen Lim, Institute of Ocean and Earth Science, University Malaya
Presenter Email: likeat92@gmail.com |
| Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is a foodborne disease associated with ciguatoxins (CTXs) contamination in seafood through multiple trophic transfers.The toxins are produced by the benthic dinoflagellates Gambierdiscus species, thus, the clue lies in the epiphythic nature of the benthic dinoflagellates which closely associated with the benthic biotic substrata that served as a feeding ground for the reef inhabitants.In this study, we investigated the dynamics of benthic harmful dinoflagellates assemblages in three components: benthic biotic substrate characteristics, depths and monsoonal shift. A total of 243 artificial substrate samples were deployed and collected from Perhentian Islands, Terengganu, Malaysia, between April 2016 and May 2017. Five benthic harmful dinoflagellates, Gambierdiscus, Ostreopsis, Coolia, Amphidinium, and Prorocentrum were enumerated. Prorocentrum and Ostreopsis were found to be the dominant groups in the assemblages. Blooms of these species were detected occasionally throughout the studied period. This study demonstrated the concomitant of benthic dinoflagellates with various benthic substrates,each demonstrated a different degree of preference towards the benthic substratum examined. Gambierdiscus, Ostreopsis, and Amphidinium were associated with turf algae assemblages than fleshy macrophytes, while Coolia and Prorocentrum occupied a broader range of microhabitats. In term of depth distribution, Coolia and Prorocentrum were more adaptive to varying depth range while Gambierdiscus, Amphidinium, and Ostreopsis were much confined to shallow waters. The results suggested the distribution and abundances of benthic harmful dinoflagellates are strongly driven by the variability of benthic microhabitats in the coral reef ecosystems, and the benthic substratum will likely affect the groups differently. This study highlights the role of benthic substratum in understanding the linkage between benthic dinoflagellates assemblages and the flux of ciguatoxins or other biotoxins in the marine food webs. |
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