In Situ Harvesting and Molecular Identification for the Germinating Species Diversity of Dinoflagellate Resting Cysts in Jiaozhou Bay, China.

ABSTRACT: Dinoflagellate resting cysts are critical to dinoflagellate ecology, acting as a key seed source for initiating harmful algal blooms (HABs) through their germination. However, the in situ germination dynamics of these cysts remain poorly understood due to technical challenges. To overcome this, we utilized the Germlings Harvester (GEHA), an in situ germination device we designed, to collect water samples containing dinoflagellate cysts germinated from marine sediments in Jiaozhou Bay, China, after 5 and 20 days of incubation. By combining the GEHA with metabarcoding analysis targeting 28S rDNA-specific primers for dinoflagellates, we identified 44 dinoflagellate species spanning 31 genera, 18 families, and 7 orders. Of these, 12 species were linked to HABs or recognized as toxic, including

SUBMITTER: Shi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12653938 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature