Karlodinium veneficum in India: Effect of fixatives on morphology and allelopathy in relation to Skeletonema costatum

Abstract

Dinoflagellates form an important component of marine and freshwater phytoplankton. They are a remarkably diverse and complex group with various modes of nutrition and ability to produce toxins, and are major contributors to harmful algal blooms. In the present work, we identify the presence of Karlodinium veneficum in India. Its detection in the coastal waters of India was possible because of live sample analysis. This species has both toxic and nontoxic strains and due to its bloom-forming capability, it is known to influence the coexisting phytoplankton community structure. In this communication we provide a description of this species, possible methods for its identification in preserved samples and effect of its extracellular and intracellular extract on the growth of Skeletonema costatum, an important and abundant diatom in the phytoplankton community in the Indian waters