Plankton-benthos cycle of Scrippsiella acuminata (Thoracosphaeraceae, Dinophyceae) in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (SE Italy)

The resting stage encystment-germination cycle has been investigated for the dinoflagellate Scrippsiella acuminata in the confined coastal basin of the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (South East Italy). The selected species is one of the most abundant in the basin, and, in the study period, it co-existed with other 46 phytoplankton taxa (mainly dinoflagellates) in the water column, and 76 resting stages (morphotypes) in the sediment. Two functional types of resting stages have been recognized, to permain in such a variable and crowded system.