Abstract:

To clarify the causative species of a diatom bloom occurred in Hongcheng Lake of Haikou City, Hainan Province during 4-10 May 2016, several water samples were collected from bloom regions. Based on the morphological features under light and electron microscopy, the causative species was identified as Actinocyclus exiguus Fryxell & Semina, a newly recorded diatom species in China. Its bloom was also new in China, and was the second case globally. Actinocyclus exiguus belongs to centricae diatom, and their cells are usually solitary, or sometimes form colonies in mucilage. The cells are small in size, with diameter around 6.4~11.1 µm. There are 2~3 rimoportulae at valve margin, as well as a pseudonodulus. It is speculated that rich density of ammonia-nitrogen (average of 2880 µg•L^-1) and high water temperature (average of 31℃) could be important induced factors for this A. exiguus bloom. About 40 tons of dead fishes (Clupanodon thrissa) was reported during the bloom; and algal toxins, mechanical injury and dissolved oxygen in the water were excluded as the mortal factors, after body check of dead fishes. Physical stress reactions, such as acute change of salinity, might be responsible for the death of the fishes.

Key words: Actinocyclus exiguus, diatom, bloom, new record