Novel and toxin‐producing epiphytic dinoflagellates isolated from sub‐tropical Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands group

Epiphytic dinoflagellates were isolated from samples collected from macroalgae and corals during an expedition to the Kermadec Islands group, led by the Auckland Museum in November 2013. Isolates included species of Gambierdiscus and Ostreopsis , genera included in the ciguatera fish poisoning complex. Cells of a compressed (apical to antapical) form of Gambierdiscus were isolated into growth media, but species identification was not possible as isolates failed to grow in culture. The Ostreopsis isolate was successfully cultured and appears to be a new species (a full description will be undertaken). Palytoxin production was determined by chemical analysis (LC‐MS/MS) as 0.013 pg palytoxin equiv. per cell. Prorocentrum isolates were identified morphologically as P . cf. emarginatum and P. lima ; both were non‐toxic. Amphidinium cf. massartii and Coolia malayensis were identified by DNA sequence analysis. The suite of dinoflagellates isolated was typical of the co‐occurring genera found throughout the Pacific region.