Pseudo-nitzschia sp. diversity and seasonality in the southern North Sea, domoic acid levels and associated phytoplankton communities

摘要

The diversity, toxicity and seasonality of Pseudo-nitzschia sp. were investigated from February to November 2012 in the southern Bight of the North Sea (SBNS) along the French coast. The identification of Pseudo-nitzschia species in this area was addressed for the first time in this study. Our results revealed a low species richness (3 distinct species) in association with moderate (102 pg mL(-1)) to high (263 pg mL(-1) domoic acid (DA) levels in autumn and spring, respectively.