Morphology and molecular characterization of marine dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae)
There is a wide diversity of dinoflagellates inhabiting the complex nature of the marine environment. Marine dinoflagellates are potentially responsible for toxic red tides which can cause harmful effects to the surrounding ecosystem, marine life as well as human health. In this study, marine dino...
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| Format: | Final Year Project Report / IMRAD |
| Language: | English |
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Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, UNIMAS
2012
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| Online Access: | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/6224/ http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/6224/4/Kon%20full.pdf |
| Summary: | There is a wide diversity of dinoflagellates inhabiting the complex nature of the marine environment. Marine
dinoflagellates are potentially responsible for toxic red tides which can cause harmful effects to the
surrounding ecosystem, marine life as well as human health. In this study, marine dinoflagellates were
characterized based on morphology and molecular information. Field samplings were carried out at
Samariang, Sarawak and clonal cultures were established. Morphological observations of cultured samples
were carried out using epiflourescence microscope. The cultures established were subjected to genomic DNA
isolation for molecular characterization. Gene amplification was performed to amplify the nuclear-encoded
ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA). The amplicons obtained were subjected to further purification prior to DNA
sequencing. In further, the nucleotide sequences obtained were analysed and used in phylogenetic
reconstruction. Sequence signatures of species found were assigned for DNA barcoding. A species inventory
of benthic dinoflagellates in Samariang with molecular signatures as potential DNA barcode was obtained in
this study. The results of the present study showed that the Kudat isolate resembled C. malayensis with
identical morphological features. The phylogenetic tree constructed for Coolia species showed that the Kudat
isolate was claded together with other C. malayensis from Langkawi Island, Port Dickson and Sabah. In
addition, three Prorocentrum species from Samariang and one from Kudat were identified. Their
phylogenetic tree showed that they are claded into respective species clades which further supported the
morphology evidence. Furthermore, one Alexandrium species was identified from Kuala Abai, Sabah. The
cells had rhomboidal first apical plate (1´), wide sixth precingular plate (6´´) and posterior sulcal plate (Sp)
that was wider than longer. The phylogenetic tree constructed for Alexandrium species further proved that the isolate was Alexandrium tamutum. Therefore, the morphologies and molecular data obtained were well
support each other. |
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