Protist distribution in the Western Fram Strait in summer 2010 based on 454‐pyrosequencing of 18S rDNA

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In this study, we present the first comprehensive analyses of the diversity and distribution of marine protist (micro‐, nano‐, and picoeukaryotes) in the Western Fram Strait, using 454‐pyrosequencing and high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) at five stations in summer 2010. Three stations (T1; T5; T7) were influenced by Polar Water, characterized by cold water with lower salinity (Fragilariopsis sp., Porosira sp., Thalassiosira spp.) dominated the protist community. The third station (T5) was ice‐covered, but has been ice‐free for ~4 weeks prior to sampling. At this station, dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae 1, Woloszynskia sp. and Gyrodinium sp.) were dominant, reflecting a post‐bloom situation. At station T6 and T9, the protist communities consisted mainly of picoeukaryotes, e.g., Micromonas spp. Based on our results, 454‐pyrosequencing has proven to be an adequate tool to provide comprehensive information on the composition of protist communities. Furthermore, this study suggests that a snap‐shot of a few, but well‐chosen samples can provide an overview of community structure patterns and succession in a dynamic marine environment.
Funding Information
  • Initiative and Networking Fund

This publication has 85 references indexed in Scilit: