• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.158-170
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• 2016

We investigated the occurrence of the dinoflagellate genus Alexandrium in the nineteen Korean coastal sites from July to October 2013. Alexandrium-like planktonic cells were microscopically observed only in four out of the 19 sampling sites. From the samples containing Alexandrium-like cells 22 clonal cultures of Alexandrium species were established by single cell or single chain isolation method. Taxonomic identity of the 4 different strains ascertained by the robust analyses of morphological and molecular genetic characteristics were confirmed to be A. catenella, A. affine, A. fraterculus and an unidentified Alexandrium sp. for which strain WEB-Alex-01 was assigned. It was ascertained that in spite of hot summer diverse Alexandrium species attaining up to four were distributed in the study area, in contrast with the long empirical recognition that the emergence of Alexandrium species is restricted to cooler seasons like spring or autumn in Korean coastal waters. Morphology and genetic characteristics of Alexandrium sp. strain WEB-Alex-01 are different from any other previously reported Alexandrium species from Korean seas, which implies that further studies on taxonomic, physiological, ecological and toxicological properties of the newly recorded Alexandrium species are needed.

• ALGAE
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.289-301
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• 2019

Mixotrophy in marine organisms is an important aspect of ecology and evolution. The discovery of mixotrophic abilities in phototrophic dinoflagellates alters our understanding of the dynamics of red tides. In the phototrophic dinoflagellate genus Alexandrium, some species are mixotrophic, but others are exclusively autotrophic. There are differences in the ecological roles of autotrophic and mixotrophic Alexandrium in marine food webs. However, of the 34 known Alexandrium species, the mixotrophic ability of >20 species has yet to be explored. In this study, the mixotrophic capabilities of Alexandrium insuetum CCMP2082, Alexandrium mediterraneum CCMP3433, Alexandrium pacificum CCMP3434, Alexandrium tamutum ATSH1609, and Alexandrium margalefii CAWD10 were investigated by providing each species with 22 diverse prey items including bacterium-sized microbeads (1 ㎛), the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp., algal prey species, and the ciliate Mesodinium rubrum. None of the 5 Alexandrium species fed on any of the prey items. These results increase the number of Alexandrium species lacking mixotrophic abilities to 9, compared to the 7 known mixotrophic Alexandrium species. Furthermore, the Alexandrium phylogenetic tree based on the large subunit ribosomal DNA contained 3 large clades, each of which had species with and without mixotrophic abilities. Thus, the acquisition or loss of mixotrophic abilities in Alexandrium might readily occur.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.366-372
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• 2009

This study looked at toxicity of Mediterranean mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, which had accumulated paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) from early March to late May 2005 at Jinhae Bay, Korea. Alexandrium sp. was observed in low densities (< 1,000 cells/L) at the beginning of the study in March, increased rapidly in April, declined rapidly and disappeared in May. Although low densities of Alexandrium sp. were observed in March, mussel toxicity exceeded regulation level ($80{\mu}g$ STXeq. /100 g). Peak PSP (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) toxicity in the mussels occurred during high Alexandrium sp. cell densities in April. Mussels toxicity decreased with decline of Alexandrium sp. cell density. Major toxin components identified were $GTX_1$, $GTX_4$, followed by $C_1$, $C_2$, $GTX_2$, $GTX_3$ and neoSTX. Trace or sporadic toxin components were STX, $GTX_5$, $dcGTX_2$, $dcGTX_3$ and dcSTX. Toxin component analysis from the middle to end of the study showed that $11{\beta}$-epimers ($GTX_{3,4}$, $C_2$) were converted into $11{\alpha}$-epimers ($GTX_{1,2}$, $C_1$) and started to determine STX.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.139-148
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• 2015

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to isolate and identify algicidal bacterium that tends to kill the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella, and to determine the algicidal activity and algicidal range of algicide. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among of algicidal bacteria isolated in this study, NH-3 isolate was the strongest algicidal activity against A. catenella. NH-3 isolate was identified on the basis of biochemical characteristics and analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. The NH-3 isolate showed over 99% homology with Arthrobacter oxydans, and was designated as Arthrobacter sp. NH-3. The optimal culture conditions were $25^{\circ}C$, initial pH 7.0, and 2.0% (w/v) NaCl concentration. The algicidal activity of Arthrobacter sp. NH-3 was significantly increased to maximum value in the late of logarithmic phase. Arthrobacter sp. NH-3 showed algicidal activity through indirect attack, which excreted active substance into the culture filtrate. When 10% culture filtrate of NH-3 was applied to A. catenella, 100% of algal cells were destroyed within 30 h. In addition, the algicidal activities were increased in dose and time dependent manners. The pure algicide was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the culture filtrate of NH-3 by using silica gel column chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We investigated the algicidal activity of this algicide on the growth of harmful algal bloom (HAB) species, including A. catenella. As a result, it showed algicidal activity against several HAB species at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$ and had a relatively wide host range. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results suggest that Arthrobacter sp. NH-3 and its algicide could be a candidate for controlling of toxic and harmful algal blooms.

• ALGAE
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2002

Twenty-nine culture strains belonging to the genus Alexandrium Halim (Dinophyceae) were established from water column or sediments in Korea. Seventeen isolates were identified as A. tamarense (Lebour) Balech, eight isolates as A. sp. cf. catenella and one as A. catenella (Whedon et Kofoid) Balech according to the presence or absence of a ventral pore, the shape of the posterior sulcal plate and the sulcal width. Three isolates were unable to be identified due to considerable distortion of thecal plates and lack of enough materials, but typical of A. tamarense and/or A. catenella. The overall cell shape of A. tamarense was usually longer than wide. The posterior sulcal plate was definitely longer than wide dorsoventrally, and sulcus extended posteriorly without apparent widening. They were distributed in three major coasts of Korea. In contrast, the cell shape of A. sp.cf. catenella was generally anterior-posteriorly flattened. The transversal axis of the posterior sulcal plate was always longer than the longitudinal, or both axes were nearly equal in length. Its sulcus was broader than that of A. tamarense and widened in the direction of antapex about 1.5 times. This morphotype existed in nearshore and offshore waters of the southern Korea sea. One of A. catenella isolates from Jinhae Bay showed no conspicuous differences with A. sp. cf. catenella except for the consistent absence of a ventral pore.

• Journal of the korean society of oceanography
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.163-171
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• 2004

Sequences of the large subunit ribosomal (LSD) rDNA D1-D2 region of Alexandrium catenella(=A. sp. cf. catenella) and A. tamarense isolates, which were collected along the Korea coasts, were analyzed to understand their phylogenetic relationships and geographical distributions. All A. catenella and A. tamarense isolates belonged to the A. tamarense/catenella/fundyense complex and were grouped with the North American and temperate Asian ribotypes, respectively, regardless of the presence or absence of a ventral pore in the first apical plate. A consistent and peculiar characteristic that differentiated the Alexandrium isolates was amplification of a second PCR product with a lower molecular weight in addition to the predicted one; ten A. catenella isolates belonging to the temperate Asian ribotype yielded this additional PCR product. Sequence alignment revealed that the shorter PCR product resulted from an unusual large deletion of 87 bp in the LSD rDNA D1 domain. The North American and temperate Asian ribotypes were prevalent along the Korean coasts without geographical separation. Given the high genetic homogeneity among widely distributed Alexandrium populations, each ribotype appeared to be pandemic rather than to constitute a distinct regional population.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.120-129
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• 2001

Thirty-six dinoflagellate cysts, representing 15 genera were identified in the surface sediments obtained from the northwestern East China Sea. Three cyst morphotypes found in this survey have not previously been described in the East China Sea and adjacent waters: Seleno­pemphix sp. 2, Selenopemphix sp. 3 and Trinovantedinium sp. 1. In the northwestern East China Sea, Operculodinium centrocarpum, Spiniferites bulloideus and ellipsoidal cysts of Alexandrium were commonly observed. Moreover, it was recognized that the ellipsoidal cysts of Alexandrium, whose motile cells of A tamarense and/or A catenella are responsible to paralytic shellfish poisoning, distributed not only restricted to the coastal areas but also to the offshore stations far from the Changjiang River mouth.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to isolate and identify algicidal bacterium that tends to kill the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella, and to determine the algicidal activity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among of four algicidal bacteria isolated in this study, NH-12 isolate was the strongest algicidal activity against A. catenella. NH-12 isolate was identified on the basis of biochemical characteristics and analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. The isolate showed 97.67% homology with Pseudoalteromonas prydzensis ACAM $620^T$ (U85855), and was designated Pseudoalteromonas sp. NH-12. The optimal culture conditions of this isolate were $25^{\circ}C$, initial pH 8.0, and 3.0% (w/v) NaCl concentration. The algicidal activity of NH-12 was significantly increased to maximum value in the late of logarithmic phase of bacterial culture. As a result of 'cell culture insert' experiment, NH-12 is assumed to produce secondary metabolites, as an indirect attacker. When 10% culture filtrate of NH-12 was applied to A. catenella, over 99% of algal cells were destroyed within 24 h. In addition, the killing effects were increased in dose and time dependent manners. CONCLUSION(S): Taken together, our results suggest that Pseudoalteromonas sp. NH-12 could be a candidate for controlling of toxic algal blooms.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.468-474
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• 1990

Eight species, 6 Dinophyceae and 2 Raphidophyceae, caused a bloom in the southeastern coastal waters mainly in Chinhae Bay in Korea from March to September since 1982. Scrippsiella trochoidea and Heterocapsa triquetra bloomed in March then ensued a vernal species Heterosigma akashiwo. And Cochlodinium sp. and Alexandrium affine were occurred as causative organism in fall next to the estival dinoflagellates Gyrodinium instriatum and Pheopolykrikos hartmannii. Among them, spatio-temporal similarity of outbreak was significant in Heterosigma akashiwo since 1983, and a bit apparent for Cochlodinium sp.. The density was in the level from $10^3\;to\;10^5\;cells/ml$ and was dependent on the cell size rather than environmental characteristics.

• Proceedings of the Korean Aquaculture Society Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.129-129
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• 2003

해양저질에서 휴면포자의 분포와 분포량에 대한 조사는 미래의 와편모조류 적조발생 시기나 장소를 예측할 수 있게 한다. 그러므로 저질내의 휴면포자를 찾고 분리하는 기술이 기본적으로 수행되어야 하며 지금까지 여러 방법이 개발되어 왔다. 이 연구의 목적은 기존의 휴면포자 계수방법들을 비교함으로써 연구의 효율을 제고 하고자 하는데 있다. 이 실험에서는 새만금 해역의 동일정점 저질내에 존재하는 휴면포자를 형광 염색하여 계수하는 Primuline 염색법, 해수, 휴면포자, sodium polytungstate의 비중차이를 이용하여 밀도구배원심법으로 분리하는 방법, 그리고 10% HCl로 탄산질을 제거하고 47% HF로 규산질을 제거한 뒤 휴면포자를 계수하는 고전적 계수방법 (palynological technique)을 사용하여 저질 내의 휴면포자를 분리 비교하였다. Primuline 염색법을 이용하였을 경우 Alexandrium famarense/catenella complex, Alexandrium sp. (spherical), Gonyaulax verior, Gonyaulax scrippsea, Gonyaulax spinifera complex등의 일부 종만 염색되어 관찰되었다. sodium polytungstate를 비중 1.3 g$cm^{-3}$으로 조정한 후 휴면포자를 분리한 밀도구배 원심법은 생물에 거의 무해한 것으로 알려져 있어서 발아가 가능해 휴면포자와 영양세포간의 관계를 규명할 수 있다는 장점이 있으나 계수에 있어서는 재현성이 떨어졌다. 반면 Palynological technique은 발아는 되지 않지만 석회질 벽을 가지는 휴면포자를 제외한 대부분의 종들이 관찰되었다. 이 결과는 실험 목적별로 휴면포자 계수방법을 달리 할 수 있음을 보여준다. 즉 발아실험을 할 경우에는 밀도구배원심법을, Alexandrium과 같은 특정종의 계수목적시에는 Primuline 염색법을, 정점 내 정확한 종 분포 파악을 위해서는 palynological technique을 사용하는 것이 효과적일 수 있다. 하지만 종분포 파악시에는 시간이 많이 소요되므로 좀더 신속하고 정확한 실험을 위해 분자생물학적인 기법들이 요구된다.