Comparative analysis of the taxonomic structure of microalgae in bays and estuaries of the Black Sea–Azov region
Authors
,
Bren O.A.2,
Podorozhny S.M.3
2 Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia, 3 Na Zlaté stoce, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
3 Bogdan Khmelnitsky Melitopol State Ped. Univ., 59 Naukove mistechko, Zaporizhzhia 69017, Ukraine
Section:
Systematics, Phylogeny and Problems of Evolution of AlgaeIssue:
Vol. 36 No. 2 (2026)Pages:
107-117DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/alg36.02.107Abstract
Bays and estuaries of the Black Sea–Azov region are characterized by pronounced hydrological variability, which creates a wide range of environmental conditions and influences the taxonomic structure of microalgae. Despite the substantial number of studies, available data are mostly reported for separate water bodies, which complicates their comparison. In this study, published data on the taxonomic structure of microalgae were compiled and comparatively analysed at the level of phyla and classes using multivariate statistical approaches, including ordination (NMDS) based on the Bray–Curtis index, permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA), and analysis of the contribution of individual taxa to differences between water body types (SIMPER). In bays, Bacillariophyta and Dinoflagellata had generally comparable species proportions, whereas in estuaries Bacillariophyta comprised substantially more species, while Dinoflagellata were represented by few species or were absent in several water bodies. These differences indicate patterns in the taxonomic structure of microalgae between bays and estuaries of the Black Sea–Azov region and could be considered in ecological monitoring.
Keywords:
Dinoflagellata, bays, estuaries, phyla, classes, regional patterns, Black Sea–Azov regionFull text
References
Barinova S., Bilous O., Tsarenko P. 2019. Algal indication of water bodies in Ukraine: methods and perspectives. Haifa, Kyiv: Univ. Haifa Publ. 367 p.
Barsanti L., Birindelli L. 2021. Water monitoring by means of digital microscopy identification and classification of microalgae. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts. 23(1): 1443–1457. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00258A https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34549767
Belova Y., Kolgunova O., Gabuyeva M. 2026. Mathematical Modelling of Green Microalgae Invasion and Rehabilitation of the Taganrog Bay. Computational Mathematics and Information Technologies. 9(4): 56–67. https://doi.org/10.23947/2587-8999-2025-9-4-56-67
Bi R., Cao Z., Ismar S., Sommer U., Zhang H., Ding Y. 2021. Responses of Marine Diatom-Dinoflagellate Competition to Multiple Environmental Drivers: Abundance, Elemental, and Biochemical Aspects. Frontiers in Microbiology. 12: 731–786. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.731786 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34526982 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8435848
Bren O., Solonenko A., Podorozhny S. 2022. Species Structure of Algae of the Saline Coastal Reservoirs of the Pryazov National Natural Park, Ukraine. International Journal on Algae. 24(2): 105–120. https://doi.org/10.1615/InterJAlgae.v24.i2.10
Cardoso L., Torgan L. 2007. Dinoflagelados em diversos habitats e hidroperíodos na zona costeira do sul do Brasil. Acta Botanica Brasilica. 21(2): 411–413. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-33062007000200015
Carstensen J., Klais-Peets R., Cloern J. 2015. Phytoplankton Blooms in Estuarine and Coastal Waters: Seasonal patterns and key species. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 162(5): 98–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2015.05.005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2015.05.005
Chan T., Hamilton D. 2001. Effect of freshwater flow on phytoplankton in a seasonal estuary. Marine and Freshwater Research. 52(6): 869–884. https://doi.org/10.1071/MF00088
Elferink S., John U., Neuhaus S., Wohlrab S. 2020. Functional Genomics Differentiate Inherent and Environmentally Influenced Traits in Dinoflagellate and Diatom Communities. Microorganisms. 8(4): 567. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8040567 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32326461 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7232425
Ennan A., Shikhaleyeva G., Tsarenko P., Kiryushkina H.M., Gerasimyuk V. 2023. Seasonal Dynamics of Algoflora Development of the Hyperhaline Kuyalnyk Estuary (North-Western Black Sea Coast, Ukraine). International Journal on Algae. 25(3): 223–234. https://doi.org/10.1615/InterJAlgae.v25.i3.30
Garrido M., Cecchi P., Collos Y., Agostini S., Pasqualini V. 2016. Water flux management and phytoplankton communities in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon. Part I: How to promote dinoflagellate dominance? Marine Pollution Bulletin. 104(1-2): 139–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.01.049 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26869094
Gerasimyuk V. 2018. Microalgae of the North-Western Black Sea Coast Estuaries. International Journal on Algae. 20(2): 109–120. https://doi.org/10.1615/InterJAlgae.v20.i2.10
Gerasimyuk V.P., Dolinska A.O. 2016. Microscopic algae of the benthos of the Khadzhibey estuary. Bulletin of ONU. Biology. 21(1): 130–140. [Герасим'юк В.П., Долінська А.О. 2016. Мікроскопічні водорості бентосу Хаджибейського лиману. Вісник ОНУ. Біологія. 21(1): 130–140.] https://doi.org/10.18524/2077-1746.2016.1(38).70083
Guiry M.D., Guiry G.M. 2025. AlgaeBase. https://www.algaebase.org
Hammer Ø., Harper D., Ryan P. 2001. PAST: Paleontological statistics software package for education and data analysis. Palaeontologia Electronica. 4(1): 1–9. https://palaeo-electronica.org/2001_1/past/issue1_01
Kovaleva G.V. 2008. Checklist of benthic and plankton microalgae of a coastal part of the Sea of Azov and adjoining reservoirs. In: Modern Problems of Algology: Materials of International Scientific Conference. Rostov-on-Don: SSC RAS. Pp. 174–192. [Ковалева Г.В. 2008. Современный список микроводорослей бентоса и планктона прибрежной части Азовского моря и прилегающих водоемов. В кн.: Современные проблемы альгологии: Материалы Международной научной конференции. Ростов-на-Дону: Изд-во ЮНЦ РАН. C. 174–192.]
Miao W., Wang S., Lin T., Yan Yi., Bao Z., Zhang D., Jiang Z., Zhang H. 2024. Interaction patterns and assembly mechanisms of dinoflagellates and diatoms in a coastal bay suffering from long-term eutrophication. Environmental Microbiology. 9(7): e0036624. https://doi.org/10.1128/msphere.00366-24 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38940511 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11288026
Nevrova E.L. 2015. Assessment of benthic diatom diversity of the coast of Karadag (Black Sea, Crimea). In: 100 years of the Karadag scientific station named T.I. Vyazemsky. Simferopol. Pp. 462–492. [Неврова Е.Л. 2015. Оценка разнообразия диатомовых бентоса у побережья Карадага (Чёрное море, Крым). В кн.: 100 лет Карадагской научной станции им. Т.И. Вяземского. Симферополь. С. 462–492.]
Prabhudessai S., Rivonker C. 2020. Distribution of dinoflagellate cysts. Marine Micropale-ontology. 156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marmicro.2020.101852
Saifullah A.S.M., Abu Hena M.K., Idris M.H., Halimah A.R., Johan I. 2014. Composition and Diversity of Phytoplankton from Mangrove Estuaries in Sarawak, Malaysia. Journal of Biological Sciences. 14(5): 361–369. https://doi.org/10.3923/jbs.2014.361.369
Sellner K.G., Sellner S.G., Lacouture R.V., Magnien R.E. 2001. Excessive nutrients select for dinoflagellates in the stratified Patapsco River estuary: Margalef reigns. Marine Ecology. 220: 93–102. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps220093 https://doi.org/10.3354/meps220093
Shevchenko T.F., Klochenko P.D., Kharchenko G.V., Gorbunova Z.N. 2023. Structure of the Communities of Epiphyton Algae in the Water Bodies Differing in the Level of Contamination. Hydrobiological Journal. 59(5): 41–63. https://doi.org/10.1615/HydrobJ.v59.i5.30
Souza J., Stanca E., Roselli L., Attayde J.L., Panosso R., Basset A. 2013. A Checklist of phytoplankton species around the Equator in Guaraíras, Galinhos and Diogo Lopes lagoons (Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil). Transitional Waters Bulletin. 7(2): 220–232. https://doi.org/10.1285/i1825229Xv7n2p220
Stanca E., Roselli L., Cellamare M., Basset A. 2013. Phytoplankton composition in the coastal Magnetic Island lagoon, Western Pacific Ocean (Australia). Transitional Waters Bulletin. 7(2): 145–158. https://doi.org/10.1285/i1825229Xv7n2p145
Sukhinov A., Belova Y. 2026. Mathematical Modeling of Biological Rehabilitation of the Taganrog Bay Considering Its Salinization. Water. 18(2): 255. https://doi.org/10.3390/w18020255
Telesh I.V., Schubert H., Skarlato S.O. 2025. Total Nitrogen Shapes Diversity of Bloom-Forming Dinoflagellates in the Baltic Coastal Waters. Biology. 15(1): 48. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15010048 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41514889 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12784729
Terenko L.M., Terenko G.V. 2000. Species diversity of plankton phytocenosis of the Odessa Bay. Marine Ecology. 52: 56–59. [Теренько Л.М., Теренько Г.В. 2000. Видовое разнообразие планктонного фитоценоза Одесского залива. Экология моря. 52: 56–59.]
Tokareva Yu.N., Finenko Z.Z., Shadrina N.V. 2008. Microalgae of the Black Sea. Sevastopol: EKOSI-Gidrofizika. 454 p. [Токарева Ю.Н. 2008. Микроводоросли Черного моря. Севастополь: ЭКОСИ-Гидрофизика. 454 с.]
Xu S., Xiao Y., Xu Y., Su Li, Cai Y., Qi Z., Liu Y., Chen Z. 2024. Effects of seasonal variations and environmental factors on phytoplankton community structure and abundance in Beibu Gulf, China. Ocean & Coastal Management. 248(1): 106982. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2023.106982
