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Diversity and distribution of heterotrophic dinoflagellates from the coastal waters of Port Blair, South Andaman

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Abstract

The interaction between the environment and heterotrophic dinoflagellates inhabiting coastal waters of South Andaman was studied based on year round collections made during September 2012–August 2013 in the bay, eastern, and western region of South Andaman. The distribution pattern of microzooplankton in South Andaman showed high abundance in eutrophic waters (bay region) and gradually decreased towards the off shore region. Microzooplankton community comprised of six different taxa, viz. tintinnids, heterotrophic dinoflagellates, non-loricate ciliates, Foraminifera, Rotifera, and Copepoda (nauplii). Tintinnids were the major component of the microzooplankton (43.8 ± 7%) followed by heterotrophic dinoflagellates (34 ± 12%) and copepod nauplii (18.8 ± 4.0%). This study focused on heterotrophic dinoflagellates which ranked next to tintinnids in overall abundance and contributed 38–42% in the bay, 22–37% in the eastern, and 15–29% in the western region to the microzooplankton community. Dinoflagellates showed a positive correlation with salinity and a negative correlation with dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a (r = − 0.3). Abundance of heterotrophic dinoflagellates in this area may be due to their diverse and advantageous mode of nutrition. A total of 35 species belonging to 8 genera of heterotrophic dinoflagellates were recorded during the study period. Heterotrophic dinoflagellates showed a great potential to thrive in low oxygenated and low productive area (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney test). Relatively higher diversity (H′) in the dinoflagellates population was found in the bay region (avg. H′ = 3.46).

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Department of Ocean studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University and National Institute of Oceanography for providing facilities to carry out the research work. First author would like to thank, Dr. Mangesh Gauns, Principal Scientist, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, India, for training in extensive taxonomy of microzooplankton and providing facilities.

Funding

Vice-chancellor, Pondicherry University provided financial support to carry out this research work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Port Blair, Andaman, 744112, India

    S. Sai Elangovan & G. Padmavati

  2. National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa, 403004, India

    S. Sai Elangovan

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  1. S. Sai Elangovan
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  2. G. Padmavati
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Correspondence to G. Padmavati.

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Sai Elangovan, S., Padmavati, G. Diversity and distribution of heterotrophic dinoflagellates from the coastal waters of Port Blair, South Andaman. Environ Monit Assess 189, 614 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6335-2

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