Competing Phytoplankton Undermines Allelopathy Of A Bloom-forming Dinoflagellate

Blooms of harmful algae, sometimes called red tides, occur in many areas of the world including the Gulf of Mexico.


The organism responsible, Karenia brevis, exudes chemical compounds that kill or suppress competing species. We found that one competitor, Skeletonema costatum, retaliates against the red tide by reducing the growth-inhibiting effects of the red tide.


This might affect the balance of phytoplankton species in the Gulf by undermining the dominance of Karenia brevis.


Competition among phytoplankton species appears to be an importance force affecting bloom dynamics.


Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences


Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.


Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences