The dinoflagellate cyst genera Achomosphaera Evitt 1963 and Spiniferites Mantell 1850 in Pliocene to modern sediments: a summary of round table discussions

Source at https://doi.org/10.1080/01916122.2018.1465739. We present a summary of two round-table discussions held during two subsequent workshops in Montreal (Canada) on 16 April 2014 and Ostend (Belgium) on 8 July 2015. Five species of the genus Achomosphaera Evitt 1963 and 33 of the genus Spiniferites Mantell 1850 emend. Sarjeant 1970 occuring in Pliocene to modern sediments are listed and briefly described along with remarks made by workshop participants. In addition, several holotypes and topotypes are reillustrated. Three species previously assigned to Spiniferites are here considered/accepted as belonging to other genera: Impagidinium inaequalis (Wall and Dale in Wall et al.1973) Londeix et al. 2009, Spiniferites? rubinus (Rossignol 1962 ex Rossignol 1964) Sarjeant 1970, and Thalassiphora balcanica Baltes ̧ 1971. This summary forms the basis for a set of papers that follows, where points raised during the workshops are explored in greater detail

DINOFLAGELLATE CYST ASSEMBLAGES IN SURFACE SEDIMENTS OF SOUTHWESTERN BLACK SEA AND CANAKKALE STRAIT (DARDANELLES)

In order to document the distribution of dinoflagellate cyst assemblages, eight surface sediment samples were collected in surface sediments from southwestern Black Sea and Canakkale Strait. A total of 25 cyst types and 1 unknown cyst type were identified. Samples displays low total cyst concentrations with values ranging from 8 to 346 cyst g(-1) dry weight sediment. Autotrophic dinoflagellates highly and significantly contributes (p<0.01) to the total cyst concentration. Lingulodinium machaerophorum, cyst type of Alexandrium minutum and Spiniferites bulloideus were dominant at the sampling points. Higher cyst concentration and diversity observed at stations in Black Sea could be linked to the type of sediment. Small-sized sediment (sand-silt) were mostly dominant at the Black Sea stations compare to the more sandy type sediment of Canakkale Strait. Present study provides the first modern dinoflagellate cyst records from surface sediments of southwestern Black Sea and Canakkale Strait

Modern Dinoflagellate Cyst Assemblages of Aliaga and Nemrut Bay: Influence of Industrial Pollution

The spatial distribution of modern dinoflagellate cysts was studied, with the purpose of understanding the impact from industrial pollution and sediment characteristics. Eight surface sediment samples were collected to analysis of the spatial distribution of dinoflagellate cysts from two industrially polluted areas: Aliaga and Nemrut Bay (Eastern Mediterranean). A total of 42 dinoflagellate cyst morphotype were identified and total cyst abundance ranged between 11 and 2543 cyst g(-1) dry weight sediment at sampling points. The cyst assemblages were represented by cyst of Gymnodinium nolleri, Alexandrium affine type and Lingulodiniumma chaerophorum. The higher cyst concentration was recorded at mostly Aliaga Bay stations however the higher cyst diversity was found at Nemrut Bay stations. Total cyst concentration and autotrophic cyst concentration indicated metal pollution in the sampling areas whereas total number of cysts had no correlation with any metal levels in the sediment except Cr. The distribution of dinoflagellate cysts also showed correlation with sediment structure in Aliaga and Nemrut Bay

Impact of industrial pollution on recent dinoflagellate cysts in Izmir Bay (Eastern Aegean)

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd.The spatial distribution of dinoflagellate cysts was studied to understand the impact of industrial pollution on the surface sediment of Izmir Bay, Turkey. Forty two dinoflagellate cyst morphotypes belonging to 12 genera were identified and qualified at 12 sampling points. The cyst of Gymnodinium nolleri dominated the bay and had the highest abundance in most of the stations, following Spiniferites bulloideus and Lingulodinium machaerophorum. The highest cyst concentration was recorded in the inner part of the bay. Cyst concentration ranged between 384 and 9944cystg-1 dry weight of sediment in the sampling area. Sediment metal concentrations were determined. Heavy metal levels in Izmir Inner Bay were higher than the Middle and Outer Bay. L. machaerophorum, Dubridinium caperatum and Polykrikos kofoidii showed significant positive correlation with some metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) and organic carbon content. However, there was no significant correlation between dinoflagellate cyst abundance and sediment type