Gymnodinium nolleri Ellegaard et Moestrup sp. ined. (Dinophyceae) from Danish waters, a new species producing Gymnodinium catenatum-like cysts: molecular and toxicological comparisons with Australian and Spanish strains of Gymnodinium catenatum

Gymnodinium nolleri Ellegaard et Moestrup sp. ined. (Dinophyceae) strains established from cysts collected at three marine locations in Denmark were compared to Australian and Spanish strains of Gymnodinium catenatum with respect to morphology, molecular characteristics, and content of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins. The Spanish and Australian strains were identical, but the Danish strains were smaller, formed only two-cell chains, and differed in rRNA sequence [large subunit (LSU) rRNA, D3 domain], and isozymes (malate dehydrogenase, esterase, phosphoglucoisomerase, and superoxide dismutase). None of the Danish strains tested contained detectable amounts of PSP toxins. In crossing experiments, Danish/Danish, Spanish/Spanish, and Spanish/Australian crosses produced cysts, but no resting cysts were found in Danish/Spanish or Danish/Australian crosses. The name Gymnodinium nolleri Ellegaard et Moestrup will be validly published separately.