Occurrence of three dominant epibenthic dinoflagellates (Ostreopsis spp., Coolia monotis and Prorocentrum lima) in relation to biotic substrates and environmental factors in a highly dynamic ecosystem, the Strait of Gibraltar (Southwestern Mediterranean)

Type Article
Date 2022-11
Language English
Author(s) Ibghi Mustapha1, 2, 3, El Kbiach Mohammed L’bachir1, Rijal Leblad BenlahcenORCID2, Aboualaalaa Hicham1, 2, 3, Hervé FabienneORCID4, Sibat ManoellaORCID4, Chair Adil2, 5, Masseret Estelle3, Maamour Niama2, Daoudi Mouna2, Amzil ZouherORCID4, Laabir Mohamed3
Affiliation(s) 1 : Equipe de Biotechnologie Végétale, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
2 : National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH), Tangier, Morocco
3 : CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, Montpellier University, MARBEC, Montpellier, France
4 : French Institute for Research and Exploitation of the sea (IFREMER), METALG laboratory, PHYTOX, F-44000, Nantes, France
5 : Marine Geosciences and Soil Sciences Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaïb Dokkali University, El Jadida, Morocco
Source Environmental Monitoring And Assessment (0167-6369) (Springer Science and Business Media LLC), 2022-11 , Vol. 194 , N. 11 , P. 810 (32p.)
DOI 10.1007/s10661-022-10426-9
WOS© Times Cited 4
Keyword(s) Epibenthic dinoflagellates, Biotic substrate, Environmental factors, Toxins, Strait of Gibraltar
Abstract

No studies have been carried out on the benthic harmful algal blooms (BHABs) along the Strait of Gibraltar in the Mediterranean, and little is known about the diversity of blooming species. Here, epibenthic dinoflagellates were monitored at least biweekly over 18 months (May 2019–November 2020) in Oued Lihoud, Cap Malabata and Dalia on the thalli of five dominant macrophytes and in the water column. This is the first report on the seasonal distribution of BHAB species hosted by natural biotic substrates in the Strait of Gibraltar, which is known for high hydrodynamics, major entry of Atlantic waters and important maritime traffic. Three BHAB dinoflagellates were observed in the surveyed areas: Ostreopsis spp., Coolia monotis and Prorocentrum lima. The analysis of all data at the three sites showed that Dictyota dichotoma was the most favourable macroalgae host for these benthic dinoflagellates. The highest cell densities were observed in Cap Malabata for Ostreopsis spp. (2.7 × 105 cells/g fresh weight in September 2020), P. lima (4.57 × 104 cells/g FW in September 2020) and C. monotis (4.07 × 104 cells/g FW in June 2019). Phosphate and temperature were positively correlated to the abundances of the studied thermophilic BHAB species. In contrast, negative correlations were recorded with salinity, ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, DIN, nitrogen/phosphate ratio and suspended material, attesting of the complex relationships between environmental factors and BHAB species dynamic in each marine ecosystem. Toxin analyses of the natural phytoplankton assemblage during BHABs showed the presence of only lipophilic toxins, namely okadaic acid and dinophysistoxins produced by P. lima. These BHABs species have to be isolated to establish monoclonal cultures for ribotyping and ecophysiological investigations.

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Ibghi Mustapha, El Kbiach Mohammed L’bachir, Rijal Leblad Benlahcen, Aboualaalaa Hicham, Hervé Fabienne, Sibat Manoella, Chair Adil, Masseret Estelle, Maamour Niama, Daoudi Mouna, Amzil Zouher, Laabir Mohamed (2022). Occurrence of three dominant epibenthic dinoflagellates (Ostreopsis spp., Coolia monotis and Prorocentrum lima) in relation to biotic substrates and environmental factors in a highly dynamic ecosystem, the Strait of Gibraltar (Southwestern Mediterranean). Environmental Monitoring And Assessment, 194(11), 810 (32p.). Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10426-9 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00795/90704/