Phylogenetic Analysis of Dinoflagellate Gonyaulax polygramma SteinResponsible for Harmful Algal Blooms Based on the Partial LSU rDNASequence Data

Abstract

This study carried out phylogenetic analysis of dinoflagellate Gonyaulax polygramma which was responsible for a harmful algal bloom episode in Korea in 2004. Molecular phylogenetic tree inferred from the partial LSU rDNA data showed that G. polygramma came up among the monophyletic Gonyaulax clade, but did not have apparent genetic affiliation to other Gonyaulax species. This result appears to be consistent with characteristic morphological features of G. polygramma such as epitheca sharply tapering to the apex and thecal plates ornamented with numerous longi- tudinal striations.