Pattern and germination rate of dinoflagellate cyst from three river estuaries (Jeneberang, Maros and Pangkep Estuary) of Makassar Strait

The research objective was to determine the rate and germination pattern of dinoflagellates from three estuaries (Jeneberang, Maros and Pangkep Estuary) of the Makassar Strait. The germination rate of dinoflagellate cysts from three estuaries of the Makassar Strait was studied at room temperature (28oC) and at light: dark conditions 12:12 hours. Sediment samples were taken from three estuaries and treated for isolation of dinoflagellate cysts. The isolated dinoflagellate cysts were then incubated on 12 wells plates using f/2 medium for 28 days. The parameters measured in this study were the rate and pattern of germination measured every third day. The results showed that the germination rate of dinoflagellate cysts from Jeneberang Estaury was higher than other estuaries (Maros and Pangkep Estuary) for all stations. However, there was no significant difference in the germination rate between stations for all estuaries, except for the germination rate of Pangkep Estuary, there was a significant difference between station I and station IV. The germination pattern during the incubation period for all estuaries varied, however the abundance of dinoflagellate cysts from the Jeneberang estuary tended to increase with the incubation period. In conclusion, dinoflagellate cysts from Jeneberang Estuary had a higher germination rate and showed increased abundance during the incubation period.