Molecular phylogeny and morphology of Carinadinium gen. nov. (Dinophyceae, Gonyaulacales), including marine sand-dwelling dinoflagellate species formerly classified within Thecadinium.

Thecadinium is a morphologically heterogenous marine benthic genus. Its polyphyly has been discussed. After redefinition of the sensu stricto genus, sensu lato taxa now need reclassification. Heterotrophic, morphologically closely related species were studied in detail. Molecular phylogenetic data for three of the four known species (T. ornatum, T. acanthium, T. ovatum) and new morphological data were obtained, leading to an emended thecal plate pattern, including the presence of an apical pore complex and an additional hypothecal plate. The results confirm the close relationship of the species and justify the description of Carinadinium gen. nov., characterized by the tabulation APC 3/4' 1/0a 6″ 6c 5s 5‴ 2'‴, an epithecal plate of special morphology, an apical flange, a ventral pore, antapical appendages, a descending cingulum and lateral cell flattening. The genus can be separated into two sub-clades, one with a third precingular 'dimple'-plate, four apical and no anterior intercalary plates and the other with a 'multi-pimple'-plate as third precingular or its homolog plate, three apical and one anterior intercalary plate. Carinadinium is phylogenetically related to the planktonic genera Protoceratium, Pentaplacodinium, and Ceratocorys (family Protoceratiaceae), and clearly belongs into the order Gonyaulacales, but with uncertain family affiliation.

New evidence of pectenotoxins in farmed bivalve molluscs from Sardinia (Italy).

Several planktonic dinoflagellates can produce lipophilic phycotoxins that represent a significant threat to public health as well as to shellfish and fish farming. Poisoning related to some of these toxins is categorised as diarrhetic shellfish poisoning. We analysed 975 shellfish samples from Tortoli in the central-eastern region of Sardinia (Italy) from January 2016 to March 2020, to investigate the prevalence of different lipophilic marine biotoxins in mollusc bivalves. The results highlighted the predominant presence of toxins belonging to the okadaic acid group in all samples with toxin concentrations exceeding legal limits, and revealed the new occurrence of pectenotoxins in oysters and clams with a winter seasonality in recent years. The origin of shellfish toxicity was associated with the same Dinophysis species, mainly D. acuminata. Based on both these results and other precedents, monitoring and recording systems are strongly recommended.

Spatial distribution and multiannual trends of potentially toxic microalgae in shellfish farms along the Sardinian coast (NW Mediterranean Sea).

In this study, the geographical distribution and multiannual trends of potentially toxic harmful algal species (HAS) were analysed at 18 mussel farms in Sardinia (Italy, North-Western Mediterranean Sea) using data derived from the Sardinian Regional Monitoring Programme (1988-2012). The results showed an increasing number of potentially toxic microalgae over the study period. Alexandrium catenella and Alexandrium minutum were the most harmful species detected. From 2002 to 2009, these species caused eight paralytic shellfish poisoning-positive events which temporarily stopped commercial trade of mussels. The statistical analysis indicated that some taxa exhibited temporal increasing trends in their abundance (e.g. Pseudo-nitzschia spp.), significant decrements (e.g. Dinophysis sp.), or both increasing and decreasing significant trends (e.g. A. minutum) at different sites, indicating the necessity of further in-depth studies, especially on certain taxa. Overall, the statistical elaboration of the long-term data provided useful signals for early detection of shellfish contamination by different potentially toxic HAS in defined sites. These signals can be used to develop best management practices.