Phylogenetic analysis of harmful algal bloom (HAB)-causing dinoflagellates along the Korean coasts, based on SSU rRNA gene

Abstract

Twenty-three cultures of harmful algal bloom (HAB)causing dinoflagellates were isolated from the coastal waters of Korea. For each of the 14 morphospecies, the nuclear-encoded small subunit (SSU) rDNA was analyzed to determine the phylogenetic relatedness of the species. Despite temporal and spatial isolation, 3-4 clonal cultures of Alexandrium catenella, Cochlodinium polykrikoides, and Gymnodinium catenatum had 100% identical SSU rDNA sequences. In contrast, heterogeneities in the SSU rDNA sequences were observed in Akashiwo sanguinea and Lingulodinium polyedrum strains. Extreme sequence polymorphism was shown within the SSU rRNA genes of an Al tamarense clonal culture. A homology search in GenBank revealed that 11 dinoflagellate species were located in clusters corresponding to their morphological classification. The SSU rDNA sequences of C polykrikoides,Gyrodinium instriatum, and Pheopolykrikos hartmannii, which were determined for the first time in this study, showed the following phylogenetic relationships: C. polykrikoides formed an independent branch separated from other dinoflagellates; Gyr. instriatum was placed in a monophyletic group with Gyr. dorsum and Gyr. uncatenum; and Ph. hartmanii, which forms a distinct two-celled pseudocolony, belonged to Gymnodinium sensu Hansen and Moestrup.