Dinoflagellate cyst composition, abundance, and assemblages in surface sediment of Paotere Port, Makassar, Eastern Indonesia: preliminary study for dinoflagellate cyst identification and collection

Paotere Port is a port in South Sulawesi, Indonesia which contributes significantly to the economic sector. The high levels of anthropogenic activities surrounding the port have resulted in increasing pollution, in particular organic matter pollution. This kind of pollutant affects dinoflagellate cysts communities. This study aimed to identify and collect dinoflagellate cysts, to determine dinoflagellate cyst abundance and assemblages and to examine the correlation between dinoflagellate cyst assemblages and diversity and environmental factors. Sediment samples were collected at Paotere Port, from 4 stations each having 3 substations as sampling replicates. We identified 31 species and 20 genera of dinoflagellate cysts, belonging to 5 families (Goniodomaceae, Ganyaulacaceae, Gymnodiniaceae, Protoperidiniaceae, and Peridiniaceae). Two of the species identified can potentially produce toxic compounds (Alexandrium catenella and Cochlodinium polykrikoides). There was a significant difference in dinoflagellate cyst assemblages between stations, however we found that dinoflagellate cyst abundance and diversity index values were low at all stations. Pyrophacus horologium was the most dominant species, contributing 23% of total dinoflagellate cyst abundance. Cyst abundance at Paotere Port is low compared to subtropical and temperate coastal regions. Key ords: Dinoflagellate cyst, abundance and assemblages, surface sediment, Paotere Port, Eastern
Indonesia.