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<p><i>Pseudo-nitzschia</i>, a widespread and potentially toxic diatom genus, represents a significant component of total diatom abundance in both Subantarctic and Antarctic waters. However, its relative abundance and environmental drivers remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed DNA metabarcoding targeting the 18S rRNA gene hypervariable region V4 to examine the genetic diversity and spatial distribution of <i>Pseudo-nitzschia</i> species. Seawater samples were collected across multiple water masses in the northern Antarctic Peninsula region, from the Drake Passage to the Weddell Sea (east of the South Orkney Islands). Phylogenetic analysis identified a total of 16 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) belonging to <i>Pseudo-nitzschia</i>. Spatial factors—particularly longitude—were found to be the primary drivers of its distribution, with temperature and salinity also showing significant correlations with the prevalent genotypes. The highest <i>Pseudo-nitzschia</i> abundance occurred in the western Weddell Sea near the South Orkney Islands. The distribution of these potentially toxigenic species correlated positively with lower seawater salinity, a pattern likely linked to sea-ice melt. Thus, ongoing climate warming in the northern Antarctic Peninsula may favor the proliferation of <i>Pseudo-nitzschia</i> blooms.</p>

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Genetic diversity and distribution of the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia revealed by metabarcoding in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula: implications for climate change effects

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月19日

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  • Chenlin Liu,
  • Xuelei Zhang,
  • Qinzeng Xu

摘要

Pseudo-nitzschia, a widespread and potentially toxic diatom genus, represents a significant component of total diatom abundance in both Subantarctic and Antarctic waters. However, its relative abundance and environmental drivers remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed DNA metabarcoding targeting the 18S rRNA gene hypervariable region V4 to examine the genetic diversity and spatial distribution of Pseudo-nitzschia species. Seawater samples were collected across multiple water masses in the northern Antarctic Peninsula region, from the Drake Passage to the Weddell Sea (east of the South Orkney Islands). Phylogenetic analysis identified a total of 16 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) belonging to Pseudo-nitzschia. Spatial factors—particularly longitude—were found to be the primary drivers of its distribution, with temperature and salinity also showing significant correlations with the prevalent genotypes. The highest Pseudo-nitzschia abundance occurred in the western Weddell Sea near the South Orkney Islands. The distribution of these potentially toxigenic species correlated positively with lower seawater salinity, a pattern likely linked to sea-ice melt. Thus, ongoing climate warming in the northern Antarctic Peninsula may favor the proliferation of Pseudo-nitzschia blooms.