The role of microalgae of the genus prorocentrum in the Diet of mussels mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) (Black Sea) in suspended culture

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the role of microalgae of the genus Prorocentrum in the diet of the Black Sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. The work analyzed the qualitative and quantitative composition of dinophytes of the genus Prorocentrum: P. compressum, P. cordatum, P. micans, P. scutellum, P. pusillum, P. balticum, P. maximum, P. lima in three types of samples (phytoplankton, mussel stomachs and their bio-sediments). Differences in the species composition of microalgae are described for three types of samples. It was noted that P. cordatum and P. micans predominate in plankton in winter, P. balticum and P. cordatum - in spring, P. cordatum, P. micans, P. balticum and P. pussilum - in summer, and P. micans - in autumn. At the same time, P. compressum and P. micans dominate in stomachs throughout the year. P. compressum was found in bio-sediments throughout the year, reaching almost 100% of the total number of dinophytes of the genus Prorocentrum in April; P. micans prevailed in winter, summer and autumn; P. cordatum was dominant in February, March and May. Different types of microalgae of the genus Prorocentrum are expected to have different degrees of digestion.