Presentation Abstract
Taxonomic analysis using the compound microscope remains an efficient and commonly used method of monitoring phytoplankton in seawater samples. Certain diatoms in the Pseudo-nitzschia genus produce the toxin domoic acid, and thereby cause amnesic shellfish poisoning or domoic acid poisoning. Because differentiation between Pseudo-nitzschia species using the compound microscope is challenging, often routine sample analysis in the past has only noted these algae to genus level. This makes it difficult to assess if there is a range shift in the more toxic species, such as Pseudo-nitzschia australis, that may be linked to alterations in environmental conditions in the Salish Sea due to climate change. We present here a practical method for identifying P. australis in the light microscope, and suggest groupings that can be commonly used to monitor other local Pseudo-nitzschia species.
Session Title
Harmful Phytoplankton in the Salish Sea: Part II
Keywords
HABs, Pseudo-nitzschia, Microscopic identification
Conference Track
SSE5: Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation, and Research
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE5-140
Start Date
4-4-2018 4:15 PM
End Date
4-4-2018 4:30 PM
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Pseudo-nitzschia--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)--Analysis; Phytoplankton--Monitoring--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Differentiation of pseudo-nitzschia species (Baccillariophyceae) in seawater samples from the Salish Sea using the compound microscope
Taxonomic analysis using the compound microscope remains an efficient and commonly used method of monitoring phytoplankton in seawater samples. Certain diatoms in the Pseudo-nitzschia genus produce the toxin domoic acid, and thereby cause amnesic shellfish poisoning or domoic acid poisoning. Because differentiation between Pseudo-nitzschia species using the compound microscope is challenging, often routine sample analysis in the past has only noted these algae to genus level. This makes it difficult to assess if there is a range shift in the more toxic species, such as Pseudo-nitzschia australis, that may be linked to alterations in environmental conditions in the Salish Sea due to climate change. We present here a practical method for identifying P. australis in the light microscope, and suggest groupings that can be commonly used to monitor other local Pseudo-nitzschia species.
