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A review of the molecular evidence for ballast water introduction of the toxic dinoflagellates Gymnodinium catenatum and the Alexandrium tamarensis complex to Australasia
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Abstract
The potential of ballast water to act as a major introduction vector for toxic dinoflagellates and other phytoplankton is beyond
doubt; however, evidence that links the suspected introduced species with a source population is less convincing, especially without
supporting historical and biochemical data, or consideration of palaeobiogeographical scenarios that may explain current species
distributions. This paper presents new molecular data based on LSU-rDNA and rDNA-ITS sequences that demonstrate an
unequivocal and recent link between Temperate Asian and Australasian populations of the toxic dinoflagellates Gymnodinium
catenatum and toxic strains of the Alexandrium "tamarensis complex"?. We integrate our data with supporting evidence from
historical distribution records, sediment dating studies, toxin profiles, mating studies and previous molecular studies. We contrast
the observed patterns of genetic and biochemical variation with those expected from various palaeobiogeographical scenarios
explaining the evolution and natural dispersal of both species. While definitive proof is impossible, the total evidence indicates that
these toxic dinoflagellates were introduced to Australasia during the past 100 years, most probably via ballast water from bulk-cargo
shipping from Japan and/or south-east Asia
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: | Bolch, CJS and de Salas, MF |
Keywords: | Harmful algae; Dinoflagellate; Alexandrium; Gymnodinium catenatum; Ballast water; RAPD-PCR; rDNA; ITS; Single nucleotide polymorphism; Global dispersal; Evolution; Palaeogeography |
Journal or Publication Title: | Harmful Algae |
ISSN: | 1568-9883 |
DOI / ID Number: | 10.1016/j.hal.2006.12.008 |
Additional Information: | The definitive version is available online at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/15689883 |
Item Statistics: | View statistics for this item |
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