Pseudo-nitzschia species distribution in estuaries of the Pacific Northwest based on Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (ARISA)

Abstract

The goals of this study were to compare Pseudo-nitzschia species in two regions, Puget Sound and Barkley Sound, and to see if the location within the sounds had an impact on which species were present. Nine different Pseudo-nitzschia species types were identified within the two regions. High toxin-producing species were found in both sounds, but made up a larger percentage of the Puget Sound communities. ARISA is essential in differentiating the multiple species present.