Reflections on the discovery of toxic species of marine micro-algae known to form harmful blooms.

摘要

Currently, harmful algal bloom (HAB) detection in the ocean regime relies mainly on costly cruises for sampling and microscopic identification of constituent bloom species. Identification to a species level and the time required to do so, are critical in issuing alerts or advisories primarily for fishing industries and public health. This underlines the importance of taxonomy and taxonomists. To check its relevance, the inputs on marine HAB species discovered so far, were examined. The taxonomic reference list of toxic algae formed the major source. The emerging salient points do underpin the concerns on the progress of marine taxonomy in relation with HAB species. The chronology of species discovered based on the IOC/UNESCO list and the tabulatedinputs yielded several salient points, which are briefly discussed.