Study on the role of allelopathy in competition of two harmful algal bloom species from the northern Beibu Gulf, China
摘要
Akashiwo sanguinea (K.Hirasaka) Gert Hansen & Moestrup 2000 and Phaeocystis globosa Scherffel 1899 are two harmful algal bloom (HAB) species that frequently occur in coastal waters worldwide, posing significant threats to marine ecosystems. Succession between HAB species, such as from P. globosa to A. sanguinea, is often observed in natural environments. Understanding this succession is crucial for developing effective prevention and control strategies for HABs, as hazards differ by species. In this study, A. sanguinea and P. globosa strains isolated from the northern Beibu Gulf were used to investigate allelopathy in the bloom succession between them. Results demonstrated that A. sanguinea exerts allelopathic inhibition on the growth of different P. globosa strains (BBG PG-02 and BBG PG-03), and the inhibition increased with the initial cell ratio of A. sanguinea to P. globosa. Specifically, in co-cultures, higher initial proportions of A. sanguinea enhanced the suppression of solitary cell growth of the non-colony-forming strain P. globosa BBG PG-02 and reduced colony density and formation of the colony-forming strain BBG PG-03. These findings suggest that allelopathy plays a key role in the succession from P. globosa to A. sanguinea, providing insights into the ecological mechanisms underlying HABs dynamics and potential strategies for mitigation.