Species assemblages of the diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia in Narragansett Bay, RI, USA

The goal of this project is to identify the species of the diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia present in Narragansett Bay, RI, USA using high throughput sequencing of the ITS1 gene. High throughput sequencing was used as this genus in morphologically cryptic under light microscopy and the ITS1 gene has been previously successfully in differentiating species and strains in this taxon. Species assemblages were compared to highly sensitive particulate domoic acid (pDA) measurements, which is a potent neurotoxin produced by some strains of Pseudo-nitzschia and is responsible for shellfish harvest closures to protect human health. Ultimately, this contributes knowledge of which toxigenic species of Pseudo-nitzschia are present in Narragansett Bay and which may have been responsible for previous shellfish harvest closures and which may be problematic species in the future.