Terenko L. Dinoflagellates of the northwestern Black Sea coastal area: species diversity and ecology

A retrospective analysis has been made on the study of Black Sea dinoflagellates and on personal studies for the Ukrainian part of the northwestern shelf. A list has been drawn up of 192 species (205 infraspecies taxa) of dinoflagellates, including those which contain the nomenclature type of the species. Some 48 species and 58 infraspecies taxa of dinoflagellates have been recorded for the first time in the Ukrainian part of the northwestern Black Sea of which 37 species and 42 infraspecies taxa are new for the Black Sea. Five invasive species have been revealed and the possibility has been shown for their invasion with ship ballast waters. A hypothesis has been proposed on the rising threat of unintentional introduction of potentially harmful and toxic dinoflagellates in the Black Sea. In bottom sediments in Odessa port for the first time for the Black Sea dormant cysts of dinoflagellates have been studied. Also in laboratory experimental conditions their stages of development have been observed. Thespatial - temporal distribution of dinoflagellates in the Black Sea coastal zone, the development of mass species of dinoflagellates and "red tides" caused by them, as well as the trophic structure and relation of the auto- and heterotrophic link have been studied. A comparative analysis has been made of the species composition, qualitative characteristics and trophic structure of dinoflagellates. The main features of their similarity and their specific development have been shown for different type limans.