Occurrence of the Dinoflagellate Gymnodinium Catenatum (Graham) Along the Mediterranean Coast of Alexandria (Egypt)

A monitoring programme during 4 years (1993-1996) was established in four eutrophic marine basins along the Mediterranean coast of Alexandria (Egypt) to follow the occurrence of a newly recorded dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum and ambient environmental conditions. the species achieved its massive occurrence in warm seasons at low salinity, density stratified water column and different nutrient concentrations. A simple statistical approach showed temperature and phosphate to effect its distribution. Apparently no cases of toxic effect have accompanied the occurrence of G. catenatum. the regular occurrence of the species during the 4 year survey mean the existence of its benthic resting cysts, which certainly have important implications for its distribution dynamics.