The occurrence of the dinoflagellates belonging to the ciguatera-related genus Gambierdiscus is reported for the first time from the north-western Arabian Gulf and northern Red Sea in the Indian Ocean basin. Gambierdiscus yasumotoi was recorded from two sampling sites on the southern Kuwait coast, and co-occurrence of G. cf. belizeanus and G. yasumotoi was found also in the Gulf of Aqaba in Jordan. The morphology of cells is described on the basis of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy examination.

In the Arabian Gulf, mangroves play a particularly important role in maintaining biodiversity. Water and intertidal sediments were collected from eight sampling locations in April 2017 to assess the environmental status of the mangrove forest in the Khor al Beida, Umm Al Quwain, which is one of the largest natural mangrove forests in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Khor al Beida is also a breeding ground for the largest Gulf colony of a regionally endemic Socotra cormorant. Total metal concentrations of water and sediments were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and ranged between 0.001–2.873 mg/L and 0.08–12683.02 mg/kg, respectively. Most metals were within permissible levels, except for copper, iron, aluminum, zinc, and nickel. Hazard Quotient calculations showed low risk to the ecosystem in relation to the presence of heavy metals, with the exception of zinc. Fifty-three diatom species of pennate benthic forms were identified in the intertidal sediments. For the first time in the UAE, diatom composition and diatom diversity values were quantitatively estimated in the surface sediments and a short sediment core. Overall, the assessment suggests that the mangrove forest is currently undisturbed and shows very little anthropogenic impact; yet, protection and conservation efforts are necessary in order to maintain its current status.

Saburova M., Chomérat N. and Hoppenrath M. 2012. Morphology and SSU rDNA phylogeny of Durinskia agilis (Kofoid & Swezy) comb. nov. (Peridiniales, Dinophyceae), a thecate, marine, sand-dwelling dinoflagellate formerly classified within Gymnodinium. Phycologia 51: 287–302. DOI: 10.2216/10-22.1 A new taxon of the dinoflagellate genus Durinskia Carty & Cox, previously considered a member of Gymnodinium Stein, is characterized from intertidal sand flats of Kuwait, in the northwestern part of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. The taxonomic status of this dinoflagellate was reassessed on the basis of morphological and molecular data. Light and electron microscopical examinations revealed a previously undescribed delicate theca. The thecal plate formula is Po, x, 4′, 2a, 7″, 5c, 6s, 5‴, 2‴′. Based on the cell shape, thecal plate arrangement, the presence of a slit-like apical pore and an eyespot, as well as on SSU rDNA sequence data, the organism is reclassified as Durinskia agilis (Kofoid & Swezy) Saburova, Chomérat &...

The occurrence of the dinoflagellate Kryptoperidinium foliaceum is reported for the first time from a hypersaline environment in Kuwait based on recurrent observations of this species from a tidal creek in appreciable numbers. This new record extends the known range of salinity tolerance for K. foliaceum to more than 100 psu. The distribution of the species along a salinity gradient within the tidal creek was studied. The morphological features of the species on the basis of light and epifluorescence microscopy observations are described.