Portia Dwane Directorate: sustainable Aquaculture Management Department of Agriculture Forestry & Fisheries Private Bag X2 Roggebaai 8012 Tel: 01 319 6397 Fax: 021 434 2144 E-mail: PortiaDW@daff.gov.za

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Contents Genus Identification ................................................................................................................................ 2

Dinoflagellates: Species Identification .................................................................................................... 3

Alexandrium catenella ............................................................................................................................ 3

Karenia cristata (Gymnodinium mikimotoi) ............................................................................................ 4

Dinophysis acuta ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Dinophysis acuminata ............................................................................................................................. 6

Dinophysis fortii ...................................................................................................................................... 7

Dinophysis hastate .................................................................................................................................. 8

Dinophysis tripos ..................................................................................................................................... 9

Dinophysis rotundata ............................................................................................................................ 10

Gonyaulax spinifera .............................................................................................................................. 11

Protoceratium reticulatum (Gonyaulax grindleyi) ................................................................................ 12

Pennate Diatoms: Species Identification .............................................................................................. 13

Pseudo-nitzschia australis ..................................................................................................................... 13

Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries ................................................................................................................. 14

Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima .............................................................................................................. 15

References ............................................................................................................................................ 17

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Table 1: Toxic phytoplankton species and associated toxins

Phytoplankton Species Marine Biotoxin

Dinoflagellate

Alexandrium catenella Karenia cristata

Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (PST)

Dinophysis acuta Dinophysis acuminate Dinophysis fortii Dinophysis hastate Dinophysis tripos Dinophysis rotundata

Diarrhetic Shellfish Toxin (DST )

Gonyaulax spinifera Gonyaulax grindleyi (Protoceratium reticulatum)

Yessotoxin (YTX)

Pennate Diatom

Pseudo-nitzschia australis Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima

Amnesic Shellfish Toxin (AST)

Genus Identification

Dinoflagellate

Two dimorphic flagella and a permanent fingerprint like nucleus as well as a theca (cell covering).

Genus: Alexandrium

Armoured. Cells typical spherical to hemispherical to oval to slightly biconical, but without horns or

spines. Descending median cingulum without overhang or contortion, displaced 1-1.5 girdle widths.

Surface markings include pores, reticulae and vermiculae. Thecae can be delicate, thin and delicate

to rugose

Genus: Karenia

Unarmoured. Single cell or chain forming. Cingulum usually equatorial or premedian with or without

descending displacement (Left Handed). If displaced, less than one fifth of body length. Colour

green, yellow, brown or pink.

Genus: Dinophysis

Distinctive funnel shaped anterior cingular list. Apical pore formed by two apical plates

Genus: Gonyaulax

Armoured. Cells sub-spherical to biconical to fusiform with a descending cingulum up to six cingulum

widths, with or without cingulum overhang. Theca varies in thickness and surface markings

Pennate Diatom Unicellular, often in colonies. Siliceous wall and organic layer. No flagella present in adult phase

Genus: Pseudo-nitzschia

Cells usually in chains. Cells united by overlap of valve ends into stepped chains

Dinoflagellates

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Dinoflagellates: Species Identification

Alexandrium catenella

Figure 1: Light microscope image of Alexandrium catenella

Distinguishing features:

Chain forming species of 2-8 cells

Cells globally, slightly wider than long

Antapex slightly concave

Apex slightly convex

Armoured.

Cells typical spherical to hemispherical to oval to slightly biconical

Descending median cingulum without overhang or contortion, displaced 1-1.5 girdle widths

Surface markings include pores, reticulae and vermiculae

Figure 2: Electron microscope image of Alexandrium catenella

Figure 3: Line drawing of Alexandrium catenella

Cingulum

Apex

Antapex

Dinoflagellates

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Karenia cristata (Gymnodinium mikimotoi)

Figure 4: Light microscope image of Karenia cristata

Distinguishing features:

Small, broadly oval cell that is dorsoventrally compressed

Hypotheca exceeds epitheca

Epitheca is broadly rounded and hypotheca is notched and slightly biloded.

Sulcus slightly invades epitheca

Figure 5: Electron microscope image of Karenia cristata

Figure 6: Line drawing of Karenia cristata

Dinoflagellates

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Dinophysis acuta

Figure 7: Light microscope image of Dinophysis acuta

Distinguishing features:

Large, robust cell with a rounded dorsal curvature

V-shaped

Left sulcal list extend about two-thirds of the body length

Figure 8: Electron microscope image of Dinophysis acuta

Figure 9: Line drawing of Dinophysis acuta

Sulcal list

Dinoflagellates

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Dinophysis acuminata

Figure 10: Light microscope image of Dinophysis acuminate

Distinguishing features:

Cell oval

Left sulcal list is well developed and extend beyond the midpoint of the cell

Nucleus

Posterior profile of hypotheca is rounded

Figure 11: Electron microscope image of Dinophysis acuminate

Figure 12: Line drawing of Dinophysis acuminate

Dinoflagellates

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Dinophysis fortii

Figure 13: Light microscope image of Dinophysis fortii

Distinguishing features:

Cells are broadly sub-ovoid shapes

Nucleus

Cell widest posteriorly

Surface of the valves have deep poroids, each with a pore

Left sulcul list well developed

Figure 14: Electron microscope image of Dinophysis fortii

Figure 15: Line drawing of Dinophysis fortii

Dinoflagellates

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Dinophysis hastate

Distinguishing features:

Medium sized cell

Curved posterior spine

Surface marking of depression with scattered pores

Dinoflagellates

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Dinophysis tripos

Figure 16: Light microscope image of Dinophysis tripos

Distinguishing features:

Large cell with two posterior V-shaped

One extends almost the length of the main body

The other is short and dorsal

Figure 17: Electron microscope image of Dinophysis tripos

Figure 18: Line drawing of Dinophysis tripos

Dinoflagellates

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Dinophysis rotundata

Figure 19: Light microscope image of Dinophysis rotundata

Distinguishing features:

Cells are asymmetrically rounded to oval

Ephitheca is low and fairly evenly rounded and convex

Sulcul lists extend about half the total length

Anterior and posterior are narrow and lack any bridges

Nucleus

Figure 20: Electron microscope image of Dinophysis rotundata

Dinoflagellates

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Gonyaulax spinifera

Figure 21: Light microscope image of Gonyaulax spinifera

Distinguishing features:

Cells elongated

Hyphotheca bearing two antapical spines

Epitheca with convex sides leading into an apical horn

Figure 22: Electron microscope image of Gonyaulax spinifera

Figure 23: Line drawing of Gonyaulax spinifera

Hypotheca

Epitheca

Antapical spines

Dinoflagellates

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Protoceratium reticulatum (Gonyaulax grindleyi)

Figure 24: Light microscope image of Protoceratium reticulatum

Distinguishing features:

Polyhedral shaped cell

Prominent reticulations that obscure plates unless disassociates

Figure 25: Electron microscope image of Protoceratium reticulatum

Figure 26: Line drawing of Protoceratium reticulatum

Pennate Diatoms

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Pennate Diatoms: Species Identification

Pseudo-nitzschia australis

Figure 27: Light microscope image of Pseudo-nitzschia australis

Distinguishing features:

Cells very wide

Cells joined at tips (overlap is ¼ of cell)

Two chromatophores are present

Figure 28: Electron microscope image of Pseudo-nitzschia australis

Figure 29: Line drawing of Pseudo-nitzschia australis

Pennate Diatoms

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Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries

Figure 30: Light microscope image of Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries

Distinguishing features:

Two chromatophores present

Cells tipsoverlap with 1/3 of the cell

Striations visible with light microscope

Figure 31: Electron microscope image of Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries

Figure 32: Line drawing of Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries

Pennate Diatoms

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Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima

Figure 33: Light microscope image of Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima

Distinguishing features:

Cells joined in short chains tip to tip

Cells not very wide

Two chromatophores are present

Striations not visible with light microscope

Figure 34: Electron microscope image of Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima

Casual species

Coscinodiscus spp

Cheatoceros

Scrippsiella

Pennate Diatoms

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Thalassionema

Ceratium

Skeletonema

Thalassiosira spp

Rhizosolenia spp

Asterionella

Dictyocha

Licmophora

Ditylum spp

Protoperidinium spp

Prorocentrum spp

Gyrodinium spp

Gyrodinium spp

Biddulphia spp

Eutreptiella spp

Melosira sp

Peridinium

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References

Botes L. April 2001.Phytoplankton Identification Catalogue. Saldanha Bay, South Africa. P 37, 38, 43,

45&52.

Hasle G.R, Steidinger K.A, Syvertsen E.E, Jangen K, Throndsen J & Heimdal B.R, 1997. Academic Press

limited. Identifying Marine Phytoplankton. San Diego. P 426

Hallegraeff G.M, Anderso D.M & Cembella A.D. 2003. Manual on Harmful Marine Microalgae.

UNESCO Publishing. France. P 424.