title: Molecular phylogeny and toxicity of harmful benthic dinoflagellates Coolia (Ostreopsidaceae, Dinophyceae) in a sub-tropical marine ecosystem: The first record from Hong Kong.
abstract: Coolia are marine benthic dinoflagellates which are globally distributed and potentially toxic. This study provides the first investigation of species diversity and toxicity assessment of Coolia in Hong Kong waters. Fifty-one strains of four Coolia species, including C. malayensis, C. canariensis, C. tropicalis, and C. palmyrensis, were isolated from twelve sub-tidal habitats, and identified phylogenetically using 28S rDNA sequences. Exposure experiments (48-hour) demonstrated that the algal lysates extracted from the four Coolia species exhibited different toxic effects on the lethality and abnormality of two invertebrate larvae, i.e., brine shrimp Artemia franciscana and sea urchin Heliocidaris crassispina. Heliocidaris crassispina was more sensitive to the toxic effects of Coolia species than A. franciscana. Toxicity tests from both larvae revealed that C. malayensis was generally more toxic, and caused higher mortality rates when compared with the other three species. The emerging threat of harmful benthic dinoflagellates to marine environments and sensitive biota is discussed.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory for the Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity, Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Priscilla T Y
authors.initials: PTY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory for the Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity, Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Sam K F
authors.initials: SKF
authors.lastname: Yiu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Veronica T T
authors.initials: VTT
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Jack C H
authors.initials: JCH
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Maggie W Y
authors.initials: MWY
authors.lastname: Au
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Chia-Yun
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory for the Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity, Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China. Electronic address: waitakcheung@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Tak-Cheung
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Wai
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory for the Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity, Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China; Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: bhpksl@cityu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Paul K S
authors.initials: PKS
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001156:Artemia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D004141:Dinoflagellida / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017753:Ecosystem; D006723:Hong Kong; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D010802:Phylogeny; D012617:Sea Urchins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D014118:Toxins, Biological
keywords: Benthic dinoflagellate; Coolia; Gambierdiscus; Invertebrate bioassay; Sea urchin; Toxic algae