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Detection of a novel ecotype of Pfiesteria piscicida (Dinophyceae) in an Antarctic saline lake by real-time PCR

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Abstract

The heterotrophic dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida was detected in Ace Lake in the Vestfold Hills, eastern Antarctica by using real-time PCR based on 18S rDNA sequences. Antarctic water samples collected in 2004 were tested by species-specific real-time PCR assays for the identification of P. piscicida and P. shumwayae. Positive results were shown with P. piscicida-specific real-time PCR, and PCR products were examined by sequence analysis for confirmation. A phylogenetic tree made from partial 18S rDNA sequences showed that the Antarctic clone clustered with P. piscicida. This result suggests that P. piscicida is present in the extreme conditions of an Antarctic saline lake which has not contained fish for thousands of years.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr Miguel Salas for technical assistance with real-time PCR. Funding support for this research was provided by a grant from the Internal Research Grant Scheme (IRGS), University of Tasmania (to GMH), ASAC grant 40, SCAR Prince of Asturias Fellowship (2003) and German Research Board grant BE2579/3-1 (to EMB).

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Author notes

  1. Elanor M. Bell

    Present address: Scottish Association for Marine Science, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, Dunbeg, Argyll, PA37 1QA, Scotland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Plant Science, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia

    Tae-Gyu Park

  2. Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Modelling, Potsdam University, Maulbeerallee 2, 14469, Potsdam, Germany

    Elanor M. Bell

  3. Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, TAS, 7050, Australia

    Imojen Pearce

  4. Biology Department, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC, 27402-6170, USA

    Parke A. Rublee

  5. School of Aquaculture, University of Tasmania, Locked Bag 1-370, Launceston, TAS, 7250, Australia

    Christopher J. S. Bolch

  6. School of Plant Science, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia

    Gustaaf M. Hallegraeff

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  1. Tae-Gyu Park
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  6. Gustaaf M. Hallegraeff
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Correspondence to Gustaaf M. Hallegraeff.

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Park, TG., Bell, E.M., Pearce, I. et al. Detection of a novel ecotype of Pfiesteria piscicida (Dinophyceae) in an Antarctic saline lake by real-time PCR. Polar Biol 30, 843–848 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-006-0244-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-006-0244-0

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