The relationships between migration and timing of cell division of dinoflagellate Ceratium furca

Abstract

To better understand the mechanism underlying the bloom outbreaks of dinoflagellate Ceratium furca in the temperate coastal area of Jinhae Bay, we investigated the diel changes of vertical migration and cell division timing. The maximum cell densities of C. furca was 10,640 cells mL-1and observed at 24:00 on the surface on 1 August, while relatively high concentrations were routinely recorded at 6:00 on the surface. The high proportions of dividing cells had a positive correlation with depth and WMDs were also deeper. C. furca divide in the deeper layer, irrespective of vertical migration pattern. The high proportions of dividing cells at deeper depths are likely to be an ecological response to maintain their population from water disturbances in the near-surface layer.