Around the world, many taxonomic issues have been discovered, discussed and debated. Many species of dinoflagellates are very similar in morphology or the differences are sometimes very small and difficult to detect, causing confusion in taxonomy. However, with the support of molecular marker analysis, it was discovered that there is a clear separation between species based on genetic characteristics, for example Prorocentrum micans/koreanum; Coolia monotis/malayensis; etc. In Vietnam, potentially toxic algae species are mostly identified on the basis of morphology and not (or very little) based on genetic characteristics. This topic has a deeper orientation on Vietnam’s harmful algae database in terms of both morphology and genetics. With many years of research experience, we have determined a wide research scope and research object from the northern islands to the south of Vietnam. Molecular biology is considered a useful tool to support more accurate species identification. Initially, we will build a genetic database for 50 potentially toxic dinoflagellate species in Vietnamese waters. Species identification is mainly based on the ITS and 28S genes. Thousands of gene samples will be amplified and sequenced. Most of the research is carried out at the microalgae laboratory and molecular biology laboratory of the Institute of Oceanography with the support of foreign scientists from the IOC Science and Communication Centres on Harmful Algae, University of Copenhagen, IFREMER Marine Biology Center Brest and Nantes Branch (France), Polar Research Institute (AWI, Bremehavn, Germany), and the Baltic Sea Research Institute (IOW, Warnemuende, Germany).
This topic will focus on answering the questions:
- Can morphological and biometric characteristics be criteria for identifying species?
- Are there cryptic or semi-cryptic species and do genetic factors/gene characteristics distinguish cryptic species?
- Clarifying the taxonomic and genetic positions of 50 species of microalgae belonging to the genera Dinophyta, Dinophyceae, Alexandrium, Ostreopsis, Gambierdiscus, Protoperidinium, Coolia, Prorocentrum, Bysmatrum, Gonyaulax, and Dinophysis.
Novelty:
What is the novelty of the project? Why is it necessary to conduct research at this time? There are many studies in the world ranging from taxonomy, ecology to toxicology of benthic dinoflagellates. A program called bHABs (benthic Harmful Algal Bloom) is being implemented, which is also part of the 2-year regular Workshops on HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms) around the world, bringing together >500 scientists. Thematic seminars on HABs are also regularly held in developing countries as well as other advanced countries such as Korea, Japan, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, …
Objectives:
- Distribution of potentially harmful microalgae species in the East Sea of Vietnam.
- Provide a set of morphological data and expected gene sequences of 50 harmful microalgae species to serve species identification and genetic diversity assessment.
- Provide data on seasonal characteristics of appearance, pay attention to toxic species and their toxicology to ensure marine food safety.
- Propose solutions for monitoring and early warning of the appearance of potentially harmful species for food safety.
Tasks:
- Morphological and genetic characteristics of planktonic microalgae.
- Morphological and genetic characteristics of benthic microalgae.
- Analyze seasons of toxic microalgae and algal blooms.
- Toxins of some dinoflagellate species.
