Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2025

A Standardized Procedure for Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms in Chile by Metabarcoding Analysis
Published on: August 26, 2021
Phytoplankton community composition in relation to environmental variability in the Urdaibai estuary (SE Bay of
Jone Bilbao1, Christina Pavloudi2, Esther Blanco-Rayón3
1Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain; Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (Plentzia Marine Station, PiE- UPV/EHU), University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Plentzia, Spain.
Abstract:
Phytoplankton monitoring is essential for the global understanding of aquatic ecosystems. The present research studies the phytoplankton community of the Urdaibai estuary, combining microscopy and eDNA metabarcoding for the first time in the area. The main aims were to describe the phytoplankton community composition in relation to the environmental conditions of the estuary, and to compare the two methods used. Diatoms Minutocellus polymorphus and Chaetoceros tenuissimus dominated the outer estuary, being replaced by Teleaulax acuta (cryptophyte), Kryptoperidinium foliaceum (dinoflagellate) and Cyclotella spp. (diatom) towards the inner area. This change was mainly prompted by salinity and nutrients. Metabarcoding revealed the presence of 223 species that were not observed by microscopy in previous studies in the estuary. However, several characteristic species (e.g., K. foliaceum) were only detected with microscopy. Additionally, microscopy covered the limitations of eDNA metabarcoding concerning quantification. Thus, to give a full insight, a combination of techniques is recommended.
More Related Videos
08:09An Aquatic Microbial Metaproteomics Workflow: From Cells to Tryptic Peptides Suitable for Tandem Mass Spectrometry-based Analysis
Published on: September 15, 2015
08:15Author Spotlight: Unveiling Plankton Response to Climate Change Through Time-Series Data and Artistic Expression
Published on: July 28, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Other Algae
Diversity of Protists I
Diversity of Protists IV
Diversity of Protists II
Diversity of Protists III
Green Algae