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Influence of potentially harmful dinoflagellates on the zooplankton of a subtropical coastal region: an experimental approach

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Author(s):
Naira Juliana da Silva
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Master's Dissertation
Press: São Paulo.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto Oceanográfico (IO/DIDC)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Rubens Mendes Lopes; Gisela Mandali de Figueiredo
Advisor: Rubens Mendes Lopes
Abstract

Harmful algae blooms have increased globally and caused impacts in aquaculture, tourism, and human health and in various aspects of ecosystem functioning. In Brazil, increasing attention has been given to this issue, because of the high potential of our waters for marine bivalve farming. Therefore, there are risks of contamination of the crops, and consequent poisoning of the consumers. This concern has led research projects to mostly focus on the detection of potentially harmful species and their toxins, with few initiatives to understand feeding interactions among species of phytoplankton and zooplankton. In this research interactions between potentially harmful dinoflagellates and marine zooplankton were investigated in two chapters. Chapter 1 - This study aims to evaluate the influence of the potentially harmful dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamiyavanichii on Temora turbinata feeding and reproduction. Egg production rates and hatching success were estimated for females fed on mixtures of A. tamiyavanichii and P. minimum. Chapter 2: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of dinoflagellate exudates and intact cells on the survivorship and mobility of zooplankton taxa from a subtropical location (Ubatuba, Brazil). Lethal effects were observed in five out of six taxa investigated, three of which (copepod nauplii, tintinnids and gastropod larvae) when exposed to dinoflagellate exudates and two (rotifers and brachyuran zoeae) when exposed to intact cells. In addition, gastropod larvae displayed mobility impairment during exposure to dinoflagellate exudates. Only polychaete larvae were not apparently affected during the course of the experiments. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 10/04678-3 - Influence of a potentially harmful microalgae in feeding and reproduction of copepods: a experimental approach
Grantee:Naira Juliana da Silva Kanemoto
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master