Identification of Chattonella (Raphidophyceae) species in long-term phytoplankton samples from Santa Giusta Lagoon, Italy

Chattonella species in a Mediterranean lagoon (Santa Giusta Lagoon, Sardinia, Italy) were identified by applying a molecular approach to fixed natural phytoplankton samples collected over the last two decades. Like the other raphido- phytes, Chattonella cells are naked and lose their shape when fixed, making species identification difficult on the basis of their morphological characteristics. Employing species-specific primers (oBTG-005-F, oBTG-027-R, oBTG-028-R) for the amplification of the ITS-5.8S rDNA region, we established the occurrence of C. subsalsa in fixed natural phytoplankton samples collected in coincidence with fish death events. Additionally, we established the presence of the recently discovered C. cf. subsalsa Adriatic genotype by analysing cellular cultures obtained from the same lagoon in 2013. This is the second worldwide record of C. cf. subsalsa Adriatic genotype. Our results revealed that the species-specific primers oBTG-005-F and oBTG-028-R distinguished this new genotype only when present singularly. This study provides valuable data that increase knowledge of C. subsalsa genotypes and of the long-term occurrence of Chattonella blooms in a transitional eco- system through the use of samples up to 20 years old.