Unveiling species diversity within the toxic diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia from the fjords and channels of Magallanes (48º-51º S), Chile

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • Marco Pinto-Torres
  • Gemita Pizarro
  • Robert B. York
  • Catharina Alves-de-Souza
  • Lundholm, Nina
  • Jorge I. Mardones
  • María J. Nariño
  • José L. Iriarte

Species of the potentially toxic diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia are common components of the phytoplankton community in the fjords and channel systems of the Magallanes Subantarctic region. Despite Pseudo-nitzschia species forming recurrent harmful algal blooms (HABs) in this region, Chilean monitoring programs have his-torically simply grouped species of this genus into two groups (P. group seriata and P. group delicatissima) ac-cording to basic cell morphology under light microscopy, or as Pseudo-nitzschia spp. Based on ultrastructural features obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), this study revealed more diversity within the genus than previously thought, identifying six Pseudo-nitzschia species in the Magallanes Subantarctic region (48 degrees-56 degrees S) from samples collected during a 11-year period (2006-2017). Most importantly, the study: 1) represent the first report on diversity and distribution of Pseudo-nitzschia species in this Patagonian region; 2) expanded the known distribution of P. australis and P. fraudulenta along the Chilean coast (down to 50 degrees S); 3) confirmed previous records of P. pungens and P. cf. delicatissima; and 4) formally confirm the presence of P. heimii and P. calliantha in subantartic waters.

Original languageEnglish
Article number102957
JournalProgress in Oceanography
Volume211
Number of pages13
ISSN0079-6611
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

    Research areas

  • Harmful algal blooms, Chilean Patagonia, Fjords and channels, Toxin, P, australis, SP-NOV BACILLARIOPHYCEAE, DOMOIC ACID, COMPLEX BACILLARIOPHYCEAE, MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY, MALAYSIAN BORNEO, MORPHOLOGY, STRAIT, WATERS, COAST, ATLANTIC

ID: 337591846