Phytoplankton invasions: comments on the validity of categorizing the non-indigenous dinoflagellates and diatoms in European seas
Gómez, F. (2008). Phytoplankton invasions: comments on the validity of categorizing the non-indigenous dinoflagellates and diatoms in European seas. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 56: 620-628
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: London. ISSN 0025-326X; e-ISSN 1879-3363, more
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| Keywords |
Algae > Diatoms
Aquatic communities > Plankton > Phytoplankton
Atlantic Ocean
Baltic Sea
Black Sea
Organisms > Invasive species
Taxa > Species > Introduced species
Dinoflagellata [WoRMS]
ANE, France, Mediterranean Sea
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract |
The validity of categorizing the diatoms and dinoflagellates reported in the literature as non-indigenous phytoplankton in the EuropeanSeas was investigated. Species that are synonymous are often included as separate species (Gessnerium mochimaensis = Alexandriummonilatum, Gymnodinium nagasakiense = Karenia mikimotoi, Pleurosigma simonsenii = P. planctonicum), while other species names aresynonyms of cosmopolitan taxa (Prorocentrum redfieldii = P. triestinum, Pseliodinium vaubanii = Gyrodinium falcatum, Gonyaulax grindleyi= Protoceratium reticulatum, Asterionella japonica = Asterionellopsis glacialis). Epithets of an exotic etymology (i.e. japonica, sinensis, indica) imply that a cosmopolitan species may be non-indigenous, and several taxa are even considered as non-indigenous in their type locality (Alexandrium tamarense and A. pseudogoniaulax). The records of Alexandrium monilatum, A. leei and Corethron criophilum are doubtful. Cold or warm-water species expand their geographical ranges or increase their abundances to detectable levels during cooling (Coscinodiscus wailesii) or warming periods (Chaetoceros coarctatus, Proboscia indica, Pyrodinium bahamense). These are a few examples of marginal dispersal associated with climatic events instead of species introductions from remote areas. The number of non-indigenousphytoplankton species in European Seas has thus been excessively inflated. |
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