Amplicon sequencing for V4 region of 18S rRNA gene of diatoms and haptophytes in the western Pacific Ocean

We conducted detailed observations on the community composition of diatoms and haptophytes from the western Pacific Ocean in summer, using a next generation sequence (NGS) technique. A research cruise aboard the R/V Hakuho Maru (JAMSTEC) were conducted along a 160?E transect from 5?N to 47?N during July to August 2012. Seawater samples for DNA analysis were collected from surface (0 to 10 m depth) and deep chlorophyll a maximum (DCM) layers using Niskin bottles attached to a CTD-RMS system, bucket, or laboratory research seawater collector. To reveal the community compositions of diatoms and haptophytes, NGS amplicon sequencing for the V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene fragments was performed with an Ion Torrent PGM system (Thermo Fisher Scientific).