Dinoflagellate cysts from Recent Danish marine sediments

Abstract

Twenty-three different cyst types were found in a survey of dinoflagellate resting stages (cysts) in sediment samples from two sites in Danish waters: Øresund (The Sound) and Aarhus Bay. This is the first survey of its kind from Danish waters. The cyst types found were: Diplopsalis lenticula, Gymnodinium catenatum, Polykrikos schwartzii, Scrippsiella trochoidea, four species of Gonyaulax, ten species of Protoperidinium and five unidentified cyst types. Five species have not previously been reported from Danish waters. Where possible, the cysts were germinated and identification was based on characteristics of both cyst and motile stages. Among the germinated cysts was Gymnodinium catenatum, a naked dinoflagellate causing Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) elsewhere in the world and not previously found living in Danish waters.

Key words :

• Cyst
• Denmark
• dinoflagellate
• Gymnodinium catenatum