title: Characterization of Prorocentrum elegans and Prorocentrum levis (Dinophyceae) from the southeastern Bay of Biscay by morphology and molecular phylogeny.
abstract: Benthic Prorocentrum species can produce toxins that adversely affect animals and human health. They are known to co-occur with other bloom-forming, potentially toxic, benthic dinoflagellates of the genera Ostreopsis, Coolia, and Gambierdiscus. In this study, we report on the presence of P. elegans M.Faust and P. levis M.A.Faust, Kibler, Vandersea, P.A. Tester & Litaker from the southeastern Bay of Biscay. Sampling was carried out in the Summer-Autumn 2010-2012 along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula, but these two species were only found in the northeastern part of the Peninsula. Strains were isolated from macroalgae collected from rocky-shore areas bordering accessible beaches. Morphological traits of isolated strains were analyzed by LM and SEM, whereas molecular analyses were performed using the LSU and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1-5.8S-ITS2 regions of the rDNA. A bioassay with Artemia fransciscana and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry analyses were used to check the toxicity of the species, whose results were negative. The strains mostly corresponded to their species original morphological characterization, which is supported by the phylogenetic analyses in the case of P. levis, whereas for P. elegans, this is the first known molecular characterization. This is also the second known report of P. elegans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, 48940, Spain.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: David
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, 48940, Spain.
authors.forename: Aitor
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laza-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, 48940, Spain.
authors.forename: Koldo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: García-Etxebarria
authors.affiliation: Associated Unit of Toxic Phytoplankton (CSIC-IEO), Institute of Marine Research, (CSIC), Vigo, 36208, Spain.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Riobó
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, 48940, Spain.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Orive
keywords: Bay of Biscay; ITS1-5.8S-ITS2; LSU; Morphology; Phylogeny; Prorocentrum elegans; Prorocentrum levis