The morphology and seasonal dynamics of the potentially toxic microalga Prorocentrum foraminosum Faust 1993 (Dinophyta) in Peter the Great Bay, the Sea of Japan

Abstract

The morphology of the potentially toxic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum foraminosum was examined in detail using light and scanning electron microscopy for the first time for the seas of Russia. New morphological features of this species were found and documented. Long-term observations showed that P. foraminosum occurred regularly from April to November in the epiphytic assemblages of Peter the Great Bay. The highest cell abundance was recorded in June (1.5 × 10³ cells/g macrophyte dry weight). This dinoflagellate was also found rarely at a low cell densities in coastal sands.