Biogeography, diversity and risk potential of toxigenic Amphidomataceae (Dinophyceae) in the North Sea and adjacent areas

This PhD considerably increased the knowledge on (toxigenic) Amphidomataceae and AZAs in the North Sea and adjacent areas, including a reliable qPCR assay for toxigenic Am. languida, the description of new amphidomatacean species, strains, AZA variants, toxin profiles and AZA cell quota variability as well as the comprehensive data set on biogeography, seasonality and vertical distribution of the three toxigenic representatives in the North Sea. Thus, this doctoral thesis study provides a highly valuable baseline for official monitoring and future studies on toxigenic Amphidomataceae.