Ms Namitha Purushothaman

Working as a taxonomist and involved in identification and enumeration of Phytoplankton in freshwater, marine and periphyton matrices in South Australia based on light microscopy. Although ,NATA accredited to genus level identification, but identifies to species level for potentially toxic marine taxa. As marine taxonomists, we emphasize the need for enhanced HAB surveillance, accurate species-level identification, and integration of morphological and molecular taxonomy. Understanding the life cycles, bloom dynamics, and ecological triggers of Karenia mikimotoi and related taxa is essential for managing their impacts and protecting marine ecosystems in South Australia. Marine dinoflagellates, a diverse group of planktonic microalgae, Karenia mikimotoi, a globally distributed species, has recently been identified as a causative agent of HABs in South Australian waters. But the The detection of K. mikimotoi (current struggle) in South Australia is of particular concern due to the region’s rich biodiversity and economically important aquaculture industries. Monitoring and accurate identification are thus critical, especially as HABs in this region are increasingly linked to climate variability and nutrient enrichment. Other marine dinoflagellates of concern which I have come across in the in South Australian waters include Karlodinium species, known for ichthyotoxic blooms, Gyrodinium, Heterosigma , Akashiwo, Noctiluca scintillans amongst several marine planktonic diatoms, prymnesiophytes and cryptomonads.