EDNA metabarcoding reveals biodiversity and depth stratification patterns of dinoflagellate assemblages within the epipelagic zone of the western Coral Sea.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dinoflagellates play critical roles in the functioning of marine ecosystems but also may pose a hazard to human and ecosystem health by causing harmful algal blooms (HABs). The Coral Sea is a biodiversity hotspot, but its dinoflagellate assemblages in pelagic waters have not been studied by modern sequencing methods. We used metabarcoding of the 18 S rRNA V4 amplicon to assess the diversity and structure of dinoflagellate assemblages throughout the water column to a depth of 150 m at three stations in the Western Coral Sea. Additionally, at one station we compared metabarcoding with morphological methods to optimise identification and detection of dinoflagellates.

Results

Stratification of dinoflagellate assemblages was evident in depth-specific relative abundance

SUBMITTER: Carve M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10964515 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature